Controlling optically-switchable devices

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates generally to optically switchable devices, and more particularly, to methods for controlling optically switchable devices. In various embodiments, one or more optically switchable devices may be controlled via voice control and/or gesture control. The method may be implemented on a network of optically switchable devices, and may be implemented to control the optical state of a plurality of optically switchable devices on the network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is an application under 35 U.S.C. 371, which claims priority to PCTApplication No. PCT/US2017/29476, filed Apr. 25, 2017, and titled“CONTROLLING OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES”, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/327,880, filed Apr. 26, 2016,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and for all purposes. This application is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application No. 14/391,122, filed on Oct.7, 2014, and titled “APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING OPTICALLY SWITCHABLEDEVICES,” which claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/US2013/36456,filed Apr. 12, 2013, and titled “APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING OPTICALLYSWITCHABLE DEVICES,” which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/624,175, filed Apr. 13, 2012, and titled“APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to optically switchable devices, andmore particularly, to methods and apparatus for controlling opticallyswitchable devices

BACKGROUND

The development and deployment of optically switchable windows haveincreased as considerations of energy efficiency and system integrationgain momentum. Electrochromic windows are a promising class of opticallyswitchable windows. Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a materialexhibits a reversible electrochemically-mediated change in one or moreoptical properties when stimulated to a different electronic state.Electrochromic materials and the devices made from them may beincorporated into, for example, windows for home, commercial, or otheruse. The color, tint, transmittance, absorbance, or reflectance ofelectrochromic windows can be changed by inducing a change in theelectrochromic material, for example, by applying a voltage across theelectrochromic material. Such capabilities can allow for control overthe intensities of various wavelengths of light that may pass throughthe window. One area of relatively recent interest is in intelligentcontrol systems and algorithms for driving optical transitions inoptically switchable windows to provide desirable lighting conditionswhile reducing the power consumption of such devices and improving theefficiency of systems with which they are integrated.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments herein relate to methods, systems, and networks forcontrolling optically switchable devices. In a number of cases, one ormore optically switchable device may be controlled using voice controland/or gesture control.

In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a method of controlling anoptical state of an optically switchable device is provided, the methodincluding: (a) receiving a voice command or a gesture command from auser, the voice command or gesture command conveying information forchanging the optical state of the optically switchable device to adesired optical state; (b) using voice recognition or gesturerecognition to convert the voice command or gesture command,respectively, into a text command; (c) analyzing the text command from(b) to interpret the voice command or gesture command from the user in(a); and (d) executing the text command to cause the opticallyswitchable device to transition to the desired optical state.

In certain embodiments, the method may further include (e) generating aresponse to the user indicating whether the voice command or gesturecommand made in (a) is occurring. In these or other cases, the methodmay include (f) confirming whether the user is authorized to execute thevoice command or gesture command received in (a). The method may beimplemented on a network of optically switchable devices, and may beimplemented to control the optical state of a plurality of opticallyswitchable devices on the network.

The voice command or gesture command may relate to a variety ofdifferent control options. In one example, the voice command or gesturecommand from the user in (a) describes the desired optical state basedon a relative comparison to a starting optical state of the opticallyswitchable device. For instance, the voice command or gesture commandfrom the user in (a) may indicate that the optically switchable deviceshould become darker or lighter. Similarly, the voice command or gesturecommand from the user in (a) may indicate that the optically switchabledevice should become more opaque or less opaque. In another example, thevoice command or gesture command from the user in (a) indicates that theoptically switchable device should become more reflective or lessreflective. In some cases, the voice command or gesture command from theuser in (a) indicates that a step change should be made to the opticalstate of the optically switchable device.

In certain embodiments, the voice command or gesture command from theuser in (a) describes the desired optical state as a distinct opticalstate of the optically switchable device, without reference to astarting optical state of the optically switchable device. In variousimplementations, the voice command or gesture command from the user in(a) is a voice command instructing the optically switchable device toswitch to the desired optical state according to one or more rules. Inone example, the rule relates to a schedule and the voice commandinstructs the optically switchable device to switch to the desiredoptical state at a scheduled time. In another example, the rule relatesto weather and the voice command instructs the optically switchabledevice to switch to the desired optical state if a particular weathercondition occurs. In another example, the optically switchable device isinstalled in a building, the rule relates to environmental conditionswithin the building, and the voice command instructs the opticallyswitchable device to switch to the desired optical state if an internalcondition within the building occurs. In some such cases, the internalcondition within the building relates to a temperature within thebuilding.

The various operations may occur at a number of different locations. Insome cases, each of (a)-(d) occur locally on one or more controllersinstalled in a building in which the optically switchable device isinstalled. In some such cases, each of (a)-(d) occur locally on one ormore controllers installed onboard the optically switchable device. Insome other embodiments, (c) occurs on a processor that is locatedremotely from a building in which the optically switchable device isinstalled.

In certain implementations, the voice command or gesture command fromthe user in (a) includes a gesture command. The user may identify theoptically switchable device by pointing at it in some embodiments. Invarious cases, the method may involve interpreting both the gesturecommand and the voice command, the gesture command identifying whichoptically switchable device the user desires to control, and the voicecommand indicating the desired optical state for the opticallyswitchable device.

One or more dictionaries may be used to implement the method. In certainembodiments, (b) includes using two or more dictionaries to convert thevoice command or gesture command into the text command, where a firstdictionary is used when converting a first portion of the voice commandor gesture command, and a second dictionary is used when converting asecond portion of the voice command or gesture command. In these orother cases, (c) may include using two or more dictionaries to analyzethe text command, where a third dictionary is used when analyzing afirst portion of the text command and a fourth dictionary is used whenanalyzing a second portion of the text command.

In a further aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a system forcontrolling an optical state of an optically switchable device inresponse to a voice command or gesture command from a user is provided,the system including: (a) at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of: a microphone, a video camera, and a motion sensor; (b) acontroller communicatively coupled with the optically switchable deviceand configured to control the optical state of the optically switchabledevice; (c) either (i) a voice recognition module configured to convertthe voice command to a text command, or (ii) a gesture recognitionmodule configured to convert the gesture command to the text command,where the voice command is perceived by the microphone and/or where thegesture command is perceived by the video camera and/or by the motionsensor; (d) a command processing module configured to interpret the textcommand generated by the voice recognition module or gesture recognitionmodule; and (e) a command execution module configured to execute theinterpreted text command from the command processing module.

In certain embodiments, the system may further include (f) a responsegeneration module configured to generate a response to the user; and (g)a response communication module configured to communicate the responseto the user, where the response is communicated to the user visuallyand/or aurally.

In some cases, the system includes (h) an authentication moduleconfigured to confirm whether the user is authorized to control theoptically switchable device as requested in the voice command or gesturecommand from the user. The authentication module may be configured toauthorize the user for a particular duration, and to request anadditional authorization after the particular duration has passed. Insome cases, the authentication module confirms whether the user isauthorized by requiring the user to log in with a passcode. In anotherexample, the authentication module confirms whether the user isauthorized by using facial recognition to identify the user. In anotherexample, the authentication module confirms whether the user isauthorized by using voice recognition to identify the user. In variousembodiments, the authentication module is configured to confirm whetherthe user is authorized each time the user provides a new voice commandor a new gesture command. In these or other implementations, theauthentication module may influence which dictionary or dictionaries areused in the voice recognition module, the gesture recognition module,and/or the command processing module.

The microphone, video camera, and/or motion sensor may be providedonboard the optically switchable device in some cases. In some othercases, the microphone, video camera, and/or motion sensor may beprovided on an electronic device that communicates with the opticallyswitchable device. For instance, the electronic device may be asmartphone, tablet, laptop, personal computer, fitness device, watch, orwall unit. In some embodiments, the gesture command is perceived by themotion sensor, and the motion sensor includes one or moreaccelerometers, gyroscopes, and/or magnetometers. The system may beconfigured to control the optical state of a plurality of opticallyswitchable devices each installed on a network.

In a further aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a method of querying acontrol system of an electrochromic device is provided, the methodincluding: (a) receiving a query from a user, where the query isprovided in spoken form, and where the query is received by a devicethat is part of the control system for the electrochromic device; (b)using voice recognition to convert the query into a text query; (c)analyzing the text query from (b) to interpret the query from the userin (a); (d) determining an answer to the query; and (e) providing theanswer to the user.

In some embodiments, the answer is provided to the user in (e) by (i)displaying the answer so that the user can perceive the answer visually,and/or (ii) reciting the answer so that the user can perceive the answeraurally. The query may relate to the electrochromic device. In somecases, the query relates to a current optical state of theelectrochromic device and/or to an ongoing optical transition on theelectrochromic device. In some other cases, the query relates to afuture optical state of the electrochromic device and/or to a futureoptical transition on the electrochromic device. In some embodiments,determining the answer to the query in operation (d) includes searchingthe Internet to determine the answer.

These and other features will be described below with reference to theassociated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of example modules that may be used forimplementing voice control in some implementations.

FIG. 2A shows a flowchart for a method of controlling electrochromicwindows using voice control in certain implementations.

FIG. 2B shows a flowchart for a method of controlling electrochromicwindows using voice control in certain implementations where multipledictionaries are used.

FIG. 2C shows a flowchart for a method of implementing voice controlaccording to a specific example.

FIG. 3A shows a user interacting with a wall device to controlelectrochromic windows.

FIGS. 3B-3E show various configurations of components that may be usedto implement certain control methods described herein.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an example electrochromic window100 in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example control profile in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an example network system operable tocontrol a plurality of IGUs in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example master controller (MC) inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an example network controller (NC) inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of example modules of a network controllerin accordance with some implementations.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to specific exampleimplementations for purposes of disclosing the subject matter. Althoughthe disclosed implementations are described in sufficient detail toenable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosedsubject matter, this disclosure is not limited to particular features ofthe specific example implementations described herein. On the contrary,the concepts and teachings disclosed herein can be implemented andapplied in a multitude of different forms and ways without departingfrom their spirit and scope. For example, while the disclosedimplementations focus on electrochromic windows (also referred to assmart windows), some of the systems, devices and methods disclosedherein can be made, applied or used without undue experimentation toincorporate, or while incorporating, other types of optically switchabledevices that are actively switched/controlled, rather than passivecoatings such as thermochromic coatings or photochromic coatings thattint passively in response to the sun's rays. Some other types ofactively controlled optically switchable devices include liquid crystaldevices, suspended particle devices, and micro-blinds, among others. Forexample, some or all of such other optically switchable devices can bepowered, driven or otherwise controlled or integrated with one or moreof the disclosed implementations of controllers described herein.Additionally, in the following description, the phrases “operable to,”“adapted to,” “configured to,” “designed to,” “programmed to,” or“capable of” may be used interchangeably where appropriate.

Voice and Gesture Control

In a number of embodiments, voice and/or gesture control may be used tointeract with an optically switchable device. Such control methods maybe more convenient compared to more conventional control methods thatmay require a user to touch or otherwise physically interact with aparticular component (e.g., switch, knob, keypad, touchscreen, etc.).Voice control may be particularly beneficial for users with certaindisabilities.

Example Commands

Generally speaking, voice and/or gesture control may be used toimplement any type of command on an optically switchable device. Forexample, voice and/or gesture control may be used to implement tintingcommands for a single optically switchable device (e.g., “change window1 to tint 4” or “make window 1 darker”), or for a group or zone ofoptically switchable devices (e.g., “change the windows in zone 1 totint 4” or “make the windows in zone 1 darker” or “make the windows inzone 1 much darker,” etc.). The commands may relate to discrete opticalstates to which the relevant optically switchable device(s) shouldchange (e.g., discrete tint levels, or other discrete optical states) orrelative changes in the optical states of the optically switchabledevice(s) (e.g., darker, lighter, more reflective, less reflective,e.g., or “my office is too dark, please lighten it up” or “I want to runthe projector,” (letting the system know to darken the room) or “it'shot in here” (letting the system know to darken the windows and blockheat gain) etc.). Where relative changes are used, the control systemmay be designed or configured to implement step changes (e.g., 10%darker or lighter) in the optical state of the optically switchabledevice to carry out the command. The degree of each step change may bepre-defined. Alternatively or in addition, the control system may bedesigned or configured to implement step changes of a size or degreespecified by the user. Such commands may be modified by any relativewords used in the command (e.g., “very” or “a little bit,” or “lighter”or “darker” etc.).

Voice control can also be used to set a schedule for the opticallyswitchable device. For instance, a user may direct the opticallyswitchable device(s) to tint at particular times/days (e.g., “make thewindows in zone 1 go to tint 4 at 2 pm Monday through Friday” or “themorning sun makes it hot in here” (letting the system know to tint thewindows during the morning hours when the sun impinges on that side ofthe building) or “I can't see the mountains well in the afternoon”(letting the system know that the windows are tinted too much in theafternoon and to lighten them during the afternoon)). Similarly, voicecontrol can be used to implement tinting rules for the opticallyswitchable device (e.g., “tint the windows in zone 1 to tint 4 when it'ssunny outside” or “tint the windows in this room if the temperatureinside this room is above 70° F”). Any rules that can be implemented ona network of optically switchable devices (including any other networkedcomponents such as thermostat, BMS, electronic device, etc.) can beinitiated via voice control.

Voice control can be implemented on various components of controlarchitecture for the smart window system, e.g., onboard windowcontrollers or other window controllers, network controllers, mastercontrollers, wall switches (e.g., interfaces with control components)and/or a separate device that interfaces with any or all of theaforementioned devices and/or components.

Gesture control may be more limited to some degree, due to a morelimited dictionary of movements that can be recognized compared to themore expansive dictionary of words that can be recognized when usingvoice control. However, gesture control can still be used to implementmany types of commands. For instance, gesture control can be used toindicate that a particular window or group of windows should change to alighter or darker state (or other optical states if non-electrochromicoptically switchable devices are used). The user may indicate thewindow(s) to be changed by standing in front of the relevant window(s)and/or pointing to the relevant window(s). The user may indicate thedesired change by raising or lowering their hands or arms, or by openingor closing their palms, for instance. A dictionary of recognizedgestures may be created to define the types of commands that can beaccomplished via gesture control. More expansive gesture dictionariesmay enable finer, more complex control of the optically switchabledevices. However, there is some degree of tradeoff in terms of ease ofuse, with smaller gesture dictionaries being easier for users to master.

In some cases, the gestures may be perceived by a video camera. Thecamera may be provided on any available device, and in some examples isprovided as part of a wall unit, as part of a device that interfaceswith a wall unit (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or other electronicdevice), as part of a hand-held device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, orother electronic device), on an electrochromic window or frame, or aspart of any other device that is configured to control an electrochromicor other optically switchable window. Alternatively or in addition, auser may gesture while holding, wearing, or otherwise moving a sensingdevice that is configured to sense movement/acceleration/etc. Thereadings on the sensing device may be used to help determine whatgesture a user has made. The movement sensing device may include one ormore accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/or magnetometers, etc. In someembodiments, the sensing device may be a fitness device (e.g., any ofvarious wearable devices from Fitbit Inc. or Jawbone, each in SanFrancisco, Calif.), watch (e.g., from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. orPebble Technology Corporation in Palo Alto, Calif.), or similar wearabledevice. In certain embodiments, facial recognition software is used todetermine changes in facial expressions as commands to change the tintlevel of windows.

Another type of command that may be initiated via voice control is toturn off “listening mode.” When listening mode is on, the device thatlistens for commands is able to pick up oral commands. When listeningmode is off, the device that listens for commands is not able to pickup/hear/record such commands. As explained further below, the devicethat listens for commands may be part of a window controller, IGU, walldevice, and/or other electronic device (e.g., phone, tablet, etc.), forexample. A user may desire to turn listening mode off for increasedprivacy, energy savings, etc. In some cases, the user may request thatlistening mode turn off for a specified time period (e.g., the durationof a meeting). In order to turn listening mode back on, the user maypress a button/touchscreen (e.g., on the device that listens forcommands, on the window controller, IGU, wall device, or otherelectronic device) or otherwise indicate that listening mode should turnback on. Devices may indicate when listening mode is on and/or off. Inone example, one or more lights (e.g., LEDs) may indicate whetherlistening mode is on or off. The light may be turned on to indicate thatlistening mode is on, and off to indicate that listening mode is off (orvice versa). In another example, a first light or light color mayindicate that listening mode is on, and a second light or light colormay indicate that listening mode is off. In another example, devices canuse an audio cue, e.g., may emit a tone, e.g., periodically, as areminder to the user that listening mode is inactive (or active). Incertain implementations, listening mode may be deactivated for a periodof time (e.g., 1 minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hour, 3hours, 1 day, etc.), after which listening mode may automatically bereactivated. The period of time over which listening mode remainsdeactivated may be chosen by the user, or may be preset. In someembodiments, listening mode is activated by default. In other words,listening mode is on unless it is turned off (e.g., permanently turnedoff, or turned off for a period of time, as mentioned above). In otherembodiments, the default setting may be that listening mode is off Inthese embodiments, listening mode does not activate unless a command isreceived to turn listening mode on.

Analogously, where gesture command is used, the user may control whethera relevant device that interprets gesture commands is in a “watchingmode.” Like the listening mode, the watching mode can be turned on andoff. When a device is in watching mode, it is able to sense andinterpret gesture commands. When the watching mode is off, the device isnot able to sense, record, and/or process gesture commands. Generallyspeaking, details provided herein related to listening mode maysimilarly apply to watching mode.

In certain implementations, voice commands may be used to ask a questionto the system controlling the optically switchable device (or somecomponent on the network on which the optically switchable device isinstalled). The questions may relate directly to the opticallyswitchable device, or more generally, to any optically switchable deviceor group of devices on the network. For instance, a user may ask whatthe current optical state is for a particular optically switchabledevice (e.g., “what's the tint level of window 1?”). Similarly, a usermay ask what the upcoming behavior will be for a particular opticallyswitchable device (e.g., “when is the next time the windows in my officewill begin to get darker?”). The questions may also relate to any otherinformation to which the network has access. For instance, a user mayask about weather data (e.g., temperature data, cloud data,precipitation data, forecast data, etc.), location data (e.g., “where amI?” or “how do I get from here to the nearestprinter/exit/bathroom/etc.”), access data (e.g., “am I allowed tocontrol the tint level of the windows in this room?”), etc. A user mayalso ask for an explanation of why the optically switchable device isperforming in a certain way. In one example, a user might ask, “why iswindow 1 tinting?” and the system may explain in response to the query,“clouds expected to clear in 20 minutes, tinting in anticipation ofbright sun.” This feature is particularly useful in cases where theoptically switchable device is programmed to execute rules that mightnot be immediately observable/understandable to a user. The answer maybe provided visually (e.g., on a screen) or aurally (e.g., through aspeaker).

Voice command may also be used to control the degree of privacy in theroom with respect to wireless communications. In some embodiments,optically switchable windows may be patterned to include one or moreantenna that may be used to block or allow particular wavelengths topass through the windows. When activated, these patterned antennae canprovide increased security/privacy by blocking cell phonecommunications, Wi-Fi communications, etc. Patterned antennae andrelated privacy considerations are discussed in P.C.T. Application No.PCT/US15/62387, filed Nov. 24, 2015, and titled WINDOW ANTENNAS, whichis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Dictionaries

Where voice and/or gesture control are used, one or more dictionariesmay be defined. For voice control, the dictionaries may define a set ofwords and/or phrases that the system is configured tointerpret/understand. Similarly, for gesture control, the dictionariesmay define a set of gestures that the system is configured tointerpret/understand. Dictionaries may be tiered, e.g., given a commandin a first level dictionary, a new dictionary at a second level may beinitiated for receiving commands, and once received, yet another leveldictionary may be actuated. In this way, individual dictionaries neednot be overly complex and the end user can quickly get to the commandstructure they desire.

Examples of words or phrases that may be defined includenames/identifications for each optically switchable device or group ofdevices (e.g., “window 1,” “group 1,” “zone 1,” etc.). Suchnames/identifications may also be based on the location of the opticallyswitchable devices. In this respect, the dictionaries may be defined toinclude words that identify optically switchable devices based onlocation (e.g., “first floor,” or “break room,” or “east-facing”),and/or words that provide a relation between the user (or some otherperson) and the optically switchable device being identified (e.g., “myoffice,” “the left window,” or “Deepa's room”).

The dictionaries may also define words related to the desired commandsthat can be instructed. For instance, the dictionaries may include wordslike “tint,” “clear,” “clearest,” “darker,” “darkest,” “lighter,”“lightest,” “more,” “less,” “very,” “a little,” “tint level,” “tint1,”“tint2,” etc. Any words likely to be used by a person when instructingthe optically switchable device when using verbal commands can beincluded in the dictionary. In cases where the system is configured toallow a user to set a schedule or rules for the behavior of theoptically switchable device, the dictionary or dictionaries can includeany words needed to understand such commands (e.g., “Monday,” “Tuesdaythrough Friday,” “morning,” “afternoon,” “bedtime,” “sunrise,” “if,”“then,” “when,” “don't,” “cloudy,” “sunny,” “degrees,” “someone,” “noone,” “movement,” “only,” etc.). Similarly, in cases where the system isconfigured to allow a user to ask a question, the dictionary ordictionaries can include any words needed to understand the types ofquestions the system is designed to answer.

As mentioned above, there is some tradeoff between larger dictionaries,which may enable finer control, more natural/flexible commands, and morecomplex functions (e.g., answering any question where the answer isavailable on the internet), compared to smaller dictionaries, which maybe easier for people to master, and which may enable faster and/or morelocal processing. Smaller dictionaries may be used in a tiered format,where access to successive dictionaries is afforded by a user providingthe proper voice or gesture command in one dictionary in order to beallowed access to the next dictionary.

In some embodiments, a single dictionary may be used. In other cases,two or more dictionaries may be used, and the dictionary that is used ata particular time depends on what type of command, or what portion of acommand a user is trying to convey. For instance, a first dictionary maybe used when a user is identifying which optically switchable devicethey wish to control, and a second dictionary may be used when the useris identifying what they want the optically switchable device to do. Thefirst dictionary could include any words needed to identify the relevantoptically switchable device, while the second dictionary could includeany words needed to interpret what the user wants the opticallyswitchable device to do. Such contextual dictionaries can provide alimited sub-set of words that the system is configured tounderstand/interpret whenever the particular dictionary is being used.This may make it easier to interpret a user's commands. Further examplesare provided below.

In certain implementations, one or more dictionaries may be tailored toparticular users. The dictionaries for defining/determining whichelectrochromic window(s) a user desires to switch may be limited basedon which windows the user is authorized to switch, for instance. In oneexample, user A is allowed to switch windows 1-5, while user B isallowed to switch windows 6-10. The dictionary or dictionaries used totranscribe and/or interpret commands from user A may be limited toidentifying windows 1-5, while the dictionary or dictionaries used totranscribe and/or interpret commands from user B may be limited toidentifying windows 6-10.

Each dictionary may include certain keywords that allow the user tonavigate through the system more easily. Such keywords may includephrases such as “help,” “back,” “go back,” “previous,” “undo,” “skip,”“restart,” “start over,” “stop,” “abort,” etc. When a user requestshelp, the system may be configured to communicate to the user (e.g.,visually and/or aurally) the words, phrases, commands, windows, etc.that the system is currently configured to accept/understand based onthe dictionary that is being used at a given time. For instance, if auser requests help while the system is accessing a dictionary thatdefines the different windows available for switching, the system maycommunicate that the available inputs at that time are, e.g., “window1,” “window 2, “window 3,” “group 1,” etc.

Security/Authorization

In a number of embodiments, the system may act to ensure that a user isauthorized to make a particular command before the command is executed.This can prevent unauthorized users from making changes to the opticallyswitchable devices. One setting in which this is particularly valuableis conference rooms, where there may be many people present at once. Insuch cases, it may be desirable to ensure that people who do not haveauthority to change the optical state of the optically switchabledevices are prevented from doing so. This can reduce the risk that theoptically switchable devices will change based on overheard (typicallynon-relevant) comments made by those in the room. Another setting inwhich this feature is valuable is commercial office space, where it isdesired that individual people can each control a limited number ofoptically switchable devices near their work spaces, for instance. Inone example, each person may be authorized to control the opticallyswitchable windows in their particular office, or on their particularfloor, etc. In any case, it may be beneficial to ensure that the onlypeople who are able to initiate optical transitions via voice or gesturecommand are authorized to do so.

The authorization may be done in a number of ways. In one example, auser may “log in” to the system to identify herself. This may be done bylogging into an application on an electronic device (e.g., smartphone,tablet, etc.), by keying in or voicing a passcode, etc. In anotherexample, voice recognition may be used to confirm the identity of auser. In a further example, facial recognition, fingerprint scanning,retinal scanning, or other biometric-based methods may be used toconfirm the identity of a user. Different authorization procedures maybe best suited for different applications/contexts. In a particularexample, a user may be automatically authorized. Such authorization maybe based on a physical authorization token (e.g., an RFID badge, a BLEbeacon, UAW beacon, etc. having appropriate identification information),and the proximity of the physical authorization token to a sensor thatreads the token. The sensor may be provided on an optically switchabledevice, on a controller in communication with the optically switchabledevice, on a wall unit in communication with the optically switchabledevice, etc. The verification may occur locally (e.g., on the sensorthat reads the token, on an optically switchable device, on acontroller, on a wall unit, etc.) or in the cloud.

In some cases, authorization may occur whenever it is needed, andauthorization may expire after a set amount of time has passed, or afterthe user has been idle for a set amount of time (e.g., after 24 hours,or after 1 hour, or after 10 minutes). The time period used forauto-logging out may depend on the setting in which the windows areinstalled (e.g., whether the windows are in a public area or a privatearea). In some cases, authorization may not expire until a user logs out(e.g., using any available method including, but not limited to, orallyrequesting a logout, pressing a logout button, etc.). In certainembodiments, authorization may occur each time a command is made. Insome such embodiments, authorization may occur in stages even wheninterpreting a single command. In a first authorization stage, it may bedetermined whether the user has authorization to make any changes on thenetwork, and in a second authorization stage, it may be determinedwhether the user has authorization to make the particular change thatthe user has requested/initiated.

The authorization process may also be used to further limit thedictionaries used to interpret the voice and/or gesture commands. Forexample, the dictionary or dictionaries for a particular user mayexclude optically switchable devices (or groups/zones of such devices)that the user is not authorized to control. In one example, a user isonly authorized to control the optically switchable devices in zone1 andzone 2, so the dictionary or dictionaries used to interpret commands forthis user may include “zone 1” and “zone 2” while excluding “zone 3.”Any other words needed to interpret/understand the command may also beincluded in the dictionary.

Example Voice/Gesture Control Techniques

FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of a voice/gesture control system 900,which includes several modules that may be used when practicing thedisclosed voice control embodiments. These modules may be implementedseparately or together, as appropriate for a particular application. Themodules may be provided in separate pieces of hardware, and may controla variety of processors. The modules may be executed concurrently ornon-concurrently. Generally speaking, each module may be independentlyimplemented on a controller (e.g., the window controller, the networkcontroller, and/or the master controller), an optically switchabledevice, a wall device, a router, and/or a remote processor. In certainimplementations, one or more of the modules may be implemented onprocessor 402 of FIG. 7, processor 502 of FIG. 8, and/or a processingunit of a window controller. Within each module, any relevant processingmay be done locally or remotely, as discussed further below. Theprocessing may be done in a central location/device, or it may bedistributed throughout a number of locations/devices.

The voice recognition module 902 converts/transcribes speech to text. Inother words, the input to this module is typically speech (spoken by auser and captured/recorded by a microphone), and the output from thismodule is typically a text string or file. This module may beimplemented using a number of commercially available speech to textproducts/services/libraries. As one example, Carnegie Mellon Universityof Pittsburgh, Pa. provides a number of open source speech softwareresources that may be used such as CMU Sphinx. Additional examplesinclude various Dragon products available from Nuance Communications,Inc. in Burlington, Mass., and Tazti, available from Voice Tech Group,Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio. The voice recognition module 902 may also beimplemented using custom software designed specifically for voicecontrol related to optically switchable devices.

The command processing module 904 interprets text in order to determinethe desired command instruction. In other words, the input to thismodule is typically a text file (which may be generated by the voicerecognition module 902), while the output is a set ofcommands/instructions that can be interpreted by the window controller(or another controller on the network) to cause the relevant opticallyswitchable device to initiate the desired command. This function mayalso be referred to as language processing or natural languageprocessing. Similar to the speech recognition module 902, the commandprocessing module 904 may be implemented using a number of availableproducts/services, or using software specifically developed for theparticular application.

The authentication module 906 may be used to practice theauthorization/security techniques discussed herein. Generally, theauthorization module 906 may be used to ensure that the person givingthe command is authorized to make the command. The module may comparethe optically switchable device identified in the command to a list ofoptically switchable devices that the user is authorized to control. Incases where a user tries to control an optically switchable device thatthey are not authorized to control, the authentication module 906 may beconfigured to notify the user (e.g., visually and/or aurally) that theyare not authorized to control the relevant optically switchable device.In other cases, no action is taken when an un-authorized command isgiven (e.g., no notification to the user, and no switching of theoptically switchable device).

The command execution module 908 executes the commands on the relevantoptically switchable device(s). The command may be executed on a mastercontroller, network controller(s), and/or window controller(s). In oneexample, the command may be executed by instructing the mastercontroller to send all windows in a particular group or zone to adesired tint level. Generally, the command may be executed on/by any ofthe control apparatus/methods described herein.

The response generation module 910 generates a response that will becommunicated to the user by the response communication module 912. Theresponse generated by the response generation module 910 may be a textresponse. The text response may be displayed to the user, e.g., on ascreen, using the response communication module 912. Alternatively or inaddition, the response communication module 912 may convert the textresponse into a speech response (e.g., in a sound file) that is playedto the user. Any appropriate text-to-speech methods may be used toaccomplish this. Generally, the response generation module 910 and theresponse communication module 912 may work together to generate andcommunicate a response to the user.

One purpose of the response generation module 910 and the responsecommunication module 912 may be to notify the user what command has beenunderstood by the control system. Similarly, these modules can be usedto notify the user regarding any action that the optically switchabledevice is taking in response to the user's command. In one example, theresponse generation module 910 may generate a response that repeats thebasic command given by the user (e.g., “window 1 to tint 4” or “tintwindow 1 to tint 4 when it becomes sunny”). The response may then becommunicated to the user via the response communication module 912. Theresponse generation module 910 and response communication module 912 mayalso be used to ask for clarification from the user. For instance, if itis unclear whether the user wants to change window 1 or window 2, theresponse generation module 910 may be used to prompt the user forclarification/further information.

FIG. 2A illustrates a flowchart for a method 1000 of controlling one ormore optically switchable devices (e.g., electrochromic windows) usingvoice control. The method 1000 begins at operation 1001, when a userprovides a voice command. The voice command may be given in a variety ofways depending on the configuration of the voice control system and therobustness of the voice control processing, for instance. The voicecontrol system includes at least one microphone configured andpositioned to receive voice commands. The microphone may be located onan optically switchable device, on a wall device (as discussed above, awall device may be positioned on a wall or at another location in a roomsuch as a table, countertop, etc.), or on another electronic device suchas a smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, etc. One example command includes“turn window 1 to tint 4.”

Next, at operation 1003 it is determined whether listening mode is on.When listening mode is on, the microphone is able to listen for/recordvoice commands from a user. When listening mode is off, the microphoneis off or otherwise not accepting voice commands related to theoptically switchable devices. One example where the microphone canremain “on” while listening mode is “off” is when the microphone islocated in a user's cell phone and the user is making an unrelated callon their cell phone. The determination in operation 1003 may be madepassively. If listening mode is not on, the microphone will not pickup/record the voice command that was made in operation 1001, and nothingwill happen, as indicated at operation 1004. As described above, incertain embodiments a user may optionally activate listening modemanually, as indicated at operation 1002. Where this is the case, themethod may continue at operation 1001 where the user repeats thecommand. If listening mode is on at operation 1003, the method continueswith operation 1005, where the voice command is converted/transcribedinto a text command. The voice-to-text conversion may be done by thevoice recognition module 902 from FIG. 1.

In certain implementations, the voice-to-text conversion may beinfluenced by one or more dictionaries as described above. For example,words or phrases that sound similar to words or phrases stored in therelevant dictionary may be converted to the words/phrases stored in thedictionary, even if not exactly the same. In a particular example, auser gives the command to “switch window 1 to tint 4,” but the voicerecognition module initially interprets the command as “switch window 1to tint floor.” If the relevant dictionary or dictionaries associatedwith the voice recognition module defines phrases such as “window 1,”“window 2,” “tint 1,” “tint 2,” “tint 3,” and “tint 4,” but does notinclude any phrases with the word “floor,” the voice recognition modulemay recognize that the user likely said “tint 4” rather than theinitially understood “tint floor,” which has no relevant meaning in theassociated dictionary or dictionaries. In other words, the results ofthe text-to-speech operation may be limited or otherwise influenced bythe relevant dictionaries being used.

Next, at operation 1007, the text command is interpreted. Thisinterpretation may be done by the command processing module 904 ofFIG. 1. Like the voice-to-text conversion discussed in relation tooperation 1005, the interpretation of the text command in operation 1007may be influenced by the dictionary or dictionaries being used. Thisoperation may involve specifically identifying which opticallyswitchable device or devices the user is requesting to change, andidentifying the particular requested change. For instance, if thecommand provided by the user is “switch window 1 to tint 4,” theinterpretation may involve determining (1) that the user is requesting achange for window 1, and (2) that the requested change relates toswitching the window to tint state 4.

The text command interpretation at operation 1007 (as well as thevoice-to-text conversion at operation 1005) may be influenced by userpreferences and/or user permissions. For instance, if a user makes avoice command to “make the windows darker,” the system may interpretwhich windows are desired to be switched based on which windows the usertypically switches and/or based on which windows the user is allowed toswitch.

At operation 1009, it is determined whether the user is authorized tomake the requested command. The authorization may be initiated/verifiedin a number of ways as described above. The authorization may be done bythe authentication module 906 described in FIG. 1. If the user is notauthorized to make the requested command, the method ends at operation1010 where either (1) nothing happens, or (2) a response is generated tonotify the user that they are unauthorized to make the command. Theresponse may be provided visually (e.g., through a visual display on anoptically switchable window, a wall device, or other electronic device)and/or aurally (e.g., by playing a sound file via speakers on anoptically switchable device, wall device, or other electronic device).Further details related to response generation are provided below.

If the user is authorized to make the requested command, the methodcontinues at operation 1011, where the text command is executed. Thecommand may be executed using any of the methods and systems describedherein. The command may be executed using the command execution module908 of FIG. 1. In various cases, the command may be executed over anetwork on which the optically switchable device is installed, and mayinvolve one or more window controllers, network controllers, and/ormaster controllers. Generally speaking, operation 1011 involves carryingout the command requested by the user in operation 1001.

At operation 1013, a response to the user is generated. The response maybe generated by the response generation module 910 of FIG. 1. Theresponse may confirm that the requested command is taking place. Theresponse may specifically indicate the content of the command such thatthe user knows whether she was understood correctly. One exampleresponse may be “switching window 1 to tint 4.” A simpler positiveresponse such as “ok,” or a green light and/or a tone may let the userknow she was heard, without specifically repeating the content of thecommand (e.g., using the response generation module 910 and/or theresponse communication module 912). In a particular example, theresponse may include a request that the user confirm that the system hascorrectly understood the desired command. In such a case, the commandmay not be executed until such confirmation is received from the user.

At operation 1015, the response is communicated to the user. Theresponse may be communicated to the user by the response communicationmodule 912 of FIG. 1. The response may be presented to the user visually(e.g., on a display) and/or aurally (e.g., via speakers). The displayand/or speakers may be provided on an optically switchable device, awall device, or other electronic device (e.g., smartphone, tablet,laptop, PC, etc.). The display and/or speakers may be provided in thesame unit as the microphone, or they may be provided in separate units.In certain cases where an aural response is provided, the responsegeneration may involve generating the desired text of the response(e.g., using the response generation module 910), and then generatingand playing a sound file that corresponds to the desired text (e.g.,using response communication module 912). The method 1000 may bepracticed in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, certain operationsoccur out-of-order from what is shown in FIG. 2A.

In certain implementations, the voice control method may involve usingtwo or more dictionaries, as described above. FIG. 2B illustrates aflowchart for a method 1020 of controlling one or more opticallyswitchable devices using two or more voice-control-related dictionaries.The method 1020 of FIG. 2B is similar to the method 1000 of FIG. 2A,except that the command is interpreted in a piecemeal fashion, withdifferent dictionaries applying to different portions of the command.Many of the operations illustrated in FIG. 2B are the same as thosepresented in FIG. 2A, and for the sake of brevity the description willnot be repeated.

For method 1020, after it is determined that the listening mode is on inoperation 1003, part 1 of the voice command is converted to part 1 ofthe text command using a first dictionary. The particular dictionarythat is used may correspond to the part of the text that is beinginterpreted. Next, it is determined whether there are additional partsof the voice command to interpret/convert to text. If there areadditional parts of the voice command to interpret, the method continuesat operation 1027, where the dictionary is optionally switched toanother dictionary. The next dictionary that is chosen may correspond tothe next part of the command that is to be interpreted. The method thencontinues back at operation 1025, where part 2 of the voice command isconverted to part 2 of the text command, optionally using a differentdictionary than was used in connection with part 1 of the command.

The loop of operations 1025/1026/1027 continues until all of the partsof the command have been converted to text using the appropriatedictionaries.

In one example, the full voice command is “switch window 1 to tint 4.”One part of the voice command (e.g., part 1) may relate to identifyingwhich optically switchable devices the user desires to switch, in thiscase “window 1.” Another part of the voice command (e.g., part 2) mayrelate to identifying what the desired command/ending optical state is,in this case switching to “tint 4.” The different parts of the commandmay be structured as desired for a particular system. More structuredcommands may be easier to process/interpret, which may make localprocessing a more attractive option. Less structured commands may beharder to process/interpret, which may make remote processing a moreattractive option.

After all parts of the voice command have been converted to text, thedifferent parts of the text command are joined together to define thefull text command, and the method continues at operation 1007. Theremaining portions of the method are the same as those described inrelation to FIG. 2A.

In a similar embodiment, the text command interpretation may be done ina piecemeal fashion (rather than the voice command to text commandconversion being done in a piecemeal fashion). With reference to FIG.2A, the text command interpretation in operation 1007 may be doneiteratively as described in relation to operations 1025/1026/1027 ofFIG. 2B, optionally with different dictionaries applied to differentparts of the text command.

In another similar embodiment, both the voice command to text commandconversion in operation 1005 and the text command interpretation inoperation 1007 may be done in a piecemeal fashion as described inrelation to operations 1025/1026/1027 of FIG. 2B.

Furthermore, the authentication described in relation to operation 1009may be determined in piecemeal fashion. For instance, a firstauthentication check may determine whether the user is allowed to makeany changes. A second authentication check may determine whether theuser is allowed to switch the particular optically switchable device(s)that she is requesting to switch. A third authentication check maydetermine whether the user is allowed to make the particular change thatwas requested (e.g., to prevent the user from requesting a tint statethat will damage the device, or to check whether there are anyoverriding rules governing the tint states of the optically switchabledevice(s) that would prevent the requested change from taking effect,even if the user is allowed some control over the relevant opticallyswitchable device(s)). The authentications may all be done at the sametime, or at different times. Depending upon a particular user's accessauthority, different dictionaries may be used for that user, versusother users.

FIG. 2C depicts a flowchart similar to the one shown in FIG. 2A, in thecontext of a specific example where a user in an office buildingrequests the control system to switch the windows in the user's officeto a particular tint state. The method 1030 begins at operation 1031,where the user requests, by voice, to “switch my windows to tint 4.” Iflistening mode is not on, the system will take no action in response tothe user's request, as indicated at operation 1034. In some cases, theuser may optionally activate listening mode manually, as indicated inoperation 1032. Where this is the case, the method may continue withoperation 1031 where the user repeats the command. When listening modeis on at operation 1033, the method continues at operation 1035 wherethe voice command is converted to a text command. As mentioned above,this may be performed by the voice recognition module 902 of FIG. 1. Atthis point, the control system may have an audio recording of the voicecommand given by the user, as well as a text file that indicates thecontent of the voice command.

Next, at operation 1037, the text command is interpreted. This may bedone by the command processing module 904 from FIG. 1. This operationmay involve identifying which windows are to be changed. In thisexample, the user requested to change “my windows.” The control systemmay identify which windows to change by analyzing who is giving thecommand, which windows that user is authorized to change, which windowsthat user frequently changes, which windows are associated with the userin a database, which windows the user is near when she makes thecommand, etc. Identification of the user may be done in a number of waysas described above with respect to authorization. In this particularexample, the control system uses voice recognition to identify the user,and identifies which windows to change by utilizing a database thatassociates each employee with the windows that are in each employee'soffice. At the end of operation 1037, the control system has identifiedthat the user wishes to switch all the windows in the user's office totint 4.

At operation 1039, it is determined whether the user is authorized tomake the command. This may be done by the authentication module 906 ofFIG. 1. In this case, the authorization process involves voicerecognition. The system may analyze the recorded voice command given bythe user in operation 1031 and compare it against prior recordings fromthis user and other users. This process allows the system to identifywho made the command in operation 1031. The authorization process mayalso involve ensuring that the identified user is allowed to change thewindows that she has requested to change. In this example, the controlsystem checks whether the user is authorized to change the windows inher office by utilizing a database that associates each user with eachwindow that the user is authorized to change. The user in this exampleworks on floor 10, and is authorized to switch all the windows on floor10. Therefore, the method continues with operation 1041, where thecommand is executed (e.g., via the command execution module 908 of FIG.1), and all the windows in the user's office begin to switch to tint 4.In a case where the user makes an unauthorized command (e.g., the useris visiting a colleague on floor 9 and requests that the windows in thecolleague's office go to tint 4, when the user is only authorized toswitch windows on floor 10, where the user's office is located), themethod may continue with operation 1040, where either nothing happens orthe command system indicates that the user is not authorized to make therequested command. The system may or may not explain why the user isunauthorized to make the requested command, and/or may explain whichwindows, if any, the user is authorized to change.

At operation 1043, the control system generates a response indicatingthat “the windows in your office are darkening to tint 4.” This may bedone by the response generation module 910 of FIG. 1. The response mayindicate which windows are going to be affected, as well as theparticular action they will take (e.g., darkening, lightening, the finalrequested tint state, etc.). In this example, operation 1043 involvesgenerating a text file indicating what the response will be. Next, atoperation 1045, the response is communicated to the user. This may bedone by the response communication module 912 of FIG. 1. The responsemay be communicated visually or aurally in various cases. In oneexample, this operation may involve generating a sound file thatcorresponds to the response in the text file for the response. The soundfile may then be played to the user so that she knows her command hasbeen heard, and that the system is acting on her request. Alternativelyor in addition, the text file (or another file generated based on thetext file) may be displayed to the user so that she can visuallyappreciate that her command has been heard.

In cases where gesture command is used in place of voice command, acamera may be used instead of (or in addition to) a microphone in orderto perceive and record the user's command. Instead of a voicerecognition module such as module 902 of FIG. 1, a gesture recognitionmodule may be used.

Arrangement of Components and Division of Processing Steps

FIG. 3A illustrates a user interacting with a device 1105 forcontrolling the optical state of electrochromic windows 1100 a-1100 d.In this example, the device 1105 is a wall device as described above. Inone example, the wall device is or includes a smart device such as anelectronic tablet or similar device. Device 1105 may be any number ofdifferent electronic devices configured to control the electrochromicwindows 1100 a-1100 d, including but not limited to a smartphone,tablet, laptop, PC, etc. The device 1105 may run an application/programthat is configured to control the electrochromic windows. In certainembodiments, the device 1105 may communicate with access point 1110, forexample through a wired connection or a wireless connection (e.g., WiFi,Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, ZigBee, WiMax, etc.). The access point1110 may be a networking hardware device that allows a Wi-Fi compliantdevice to connect to a wired network. The device 1105 may communicatewith a controller (e.g., a window controller, network controller, and/ormaster controller) through a number of different connection schemes,some of which are illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3E.

In FIG. 3B, the device 1105 is connected to access point 1110, which isconnected to switch 1115. Switch 1115 is connected to both router 1120and controller 1125. The connections between the different elements maybe wired or wireless, as appropriate for a particular application. Inone example, access point 1110 is a wireless access point, and theconnection between the access point 1110 and the device 1105 iswireless. As mentioned, the device 1105 may be any number of electronicdevices configured to control the electrochromic windows. The router1120 may include firewall protection to enhance security. The controller1125 may be a window controller, network controller, or mastercontroller. If the controller 1125 is not a window controller, thecontroller 1125 may relay instructions to relevant window controllersover the network, for example as described in relation to FIG. 6.

In FIG. 3C, the device 1105 is connected to access point 1110, which isconnected to controller 1125. Each of these connections may be wired orwireless. In FIG. 3D, the device 1105 is directly connected to thecontroller 1125. This connection may be wired or wireless. In FIG. 3E,device 1105 is connected to the cloud 1130 (e.g., the Internet). Thecloud 1130 is also connected with router 1120, which is connected toswitch 1115, which is connected to controller 1125. The connections maybe wired or wireless, as appropriate for a particular application. In aparticular example, the device 1105 is a smartphone, which connectswirelessly (e.g., via 3G, 4G, etc.) with the cloud 1130.

FIGS. 3B-3E show some of the possible arrangements for allowing a device1105 to communicate with a controller 1125 to cause the controller 1125to effect change on the relevant electrochromic windows. Certainarrangements may be preferable for certain situations. For example,different arrangements may be preferred depending on the intensity ofthe different processing steps, any hardware limitations for differentcomponents, a desired level of privacy, and other concerns. For example,if the device 1105 and controller 1125 (as well as related components onthe network) have limited processing power, it may be desirable toperform much of the processing in the cloud 1130, and the arrangement inFIG. 3E may be particularly beneficial. By contrast, if privacy is a topconcern and it is desired to perform everything in-house (e.g., within afirewalled network), the arrangements in FIGS. 3B-3D (especially 3Dwhere the device 1105 directly connects to the controller 1125) may berelatively more beneficial. Relatedly, the arrangements shown in FIGS.3B-3D may be particularly useful in cases where no external internetconnection is available.

Generally, the different processing steps may each independently occuron any device with sufficient processing power and connectivity toperform the relevant processing step. For example, one or moreprocessors may be provided on each window controller, networkcontroller, master controller, wall device (or related electronicdevice), and/or at a remote processing location (on the cloud, at aremote processing location maintained by a manufacturer/vendor/customer,etc.). In various cases the processors may be distributed amongdifferent components. In some other cases, the processors may be morecentrally located (e.g., all within a wall device, or window controller,or network controller, or master controller). A few examples will beprovided.

In one example, device 1105 is connected with controller 1125 as shownin any of FIGS. 3B-3D. The device 1105 is provided with a relativelyhigh degree of processing capability in this example. Device 1105accepts voice commands regarding one or more electrochromic windowsassociated with controller 1125. For the purposes of this example,controller 1125 is a master controller, though in other examples it maybe a network controller or window controller. With respect to the method1000 shown in FIG. 2A, operation 1001 (user gives voice command) mayoccur at the device 1105. The device 1105 may record the voice commandfor analysis. Operation 1003 (determining if listening mode is on)similarly occurs at the device 1105, though this determination may bemade passively. Operation 1005 (voice command converted to text command)may also happen on the device 1105, assuming the device 1105 is providedwith sufficient processing capability. Similarly, operation 1007 (textcommand interpreted) may happen on the device 1105 if the device 1105has sufficient processing capability. Operation 1009 (authorization) mayoccur on the controller 1125, which may store or otherwise accessinformation related to different users and the permissions related toeach user. Operation 1011 (text command executed) may also occur oncontroller 1125 (as well as related controllers and associatedelectrochromic windows), which causes the relevant electrochromicwindows to change as directed in operation 1001. Operation 1013(response to user generated) may occur on the device 1105 assuming thedevice 1105 has sufficient processing power. Operation 1015 (responsecommunicated to user) may occur at the device 1105 such that the usercan perceive the response (e.g., visually or aurally).

In a related example, the device 1105 may have relatively lessprocessing capability. Therefore, some of the processing steps may bemoved from the device 1105 to the controller 1125. In this case, thecontroller 1125 may be any controller (e.g., master controller, networkcontroller, window controller, or a combination thereof) that hassufficient processing capability. Examples of functions that may remainat the device 1105 include operation 1001 (user gives voice command),and operation 1015 (response communicated to user). Examples offunctions that may be switched to the controller 1125 include operation1005 (voice command converted to text command), operation 1007 (textcommand interpreted), and operation 1013 (response to user generated)may be performed on the controller 1125. For instance, the content ofthe response to the user may be generated at the controller 1125, andthe response may then be displayed and/or played to the user at thedevice 1105.

In another example, the device 1105 communicates with the controller1125 via the cloud 1130, as shown in FIG. 3E. The processingcapabilities of the cloud 1130 are essentially unlimited. As such,various processing steps may be performed in the cloud 1130. Withreference to the method 1000 of FIG. 2A, examples of processing stepsthat may be performed in the cloud 1130 include operation 1005 (voicecommand converted to text command), operation 1007 (text commandinterpreted), operation 1009 (authorization), and operation 1013(response to user generated). One or more of these functions may also beperformed at the controller 1125. In a particular example, operation1001 (user gives voice command) occurs at the device 1105, operation1003 (determining whether listening mode is on) occurs at the device1105, operation 1005 (voice command converted to text command) occurs onthe cloud 1130, operation 1007 (text command interpreted) occurs on thecloud 1130, operation 1009 (authorization) occurs on the controller1125, operation 1011 (text command executed) occurs on the controller1125 and the associated electrochromic windows, operation 1013(generating response to user) occurs on the controller 1125 and/or cloud1130 (either or both of which may be used to generate the content of theresponse), and operation 1015 occurs on the device 1105 (which displaysand/or plays the response to the user).

Example Electrochromic Window Architecture

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of an example electrochromicwindow 100 in accordance with some implementations. An electrochromicwindow is one type of optically switchable window that includes anelectrochromic device (ECD) used to provide tinting or coloring. Theexample electrochromic window 100 can be manufactured, configured orotherwise provided as an insulated glass unit (IGU) and will hereinafteralso be referred to as IGU 100. This convention is generally used, forexample, because it is common and because it can be desirable to haveIGUs serve as the fundamental constructs for holding electrochromicpanes (also referred to as “lites”) when provided for installation in abuilding. An IGU lite or pane may be a single substrate or amulti-substrate construct, such as a laminate of two substrates. IGUs,especially those having double- or triple-pane configurations, canprovide a number of advantages over single pane configurations; forexample, multi-pane configurations can provide enhanced thermalinsulation, noise insulation, environmental protection and/or durabilitywhen compared with single-pane configurations. A multi-paneconfiguration also can provide increased protection for an ECD, forexample, because the electrochromic films, as well as associated layersand conductive interconnects, can be formed on an interior surface ofthe multi-pane IGU and be protected by an inert gas fill in the interiorvolume, 108, of the IGU.

FIG. 4 more particularly shows an example implementation of an IGU 100that includes a first pane 104 having a first surface S1 and a secondsurface S2. In some implementations, the first surface S1 of the firstpane 104 faces an exterior environment, such as an outdoors or outsideenvironment. The IGU 100 also includes a second pane 106 having a firstsurface S3 and a second surface S4. In some implementations, the secondsurface S4 of the second pane 106 faces an interior environment, such asan inside environment of a home, building or vehicle, or a room orcompartment within a home, building or vehicle.

In some implementations, each of the first and the second panes 104 and106 are transparent or translucent—at least to light in the visiblespectrum. For example, each of the panes 104 and 106 can be formed of aglass material and especially an architectural glass or othershatter-resistant glass material such as, for example, a silicon oxide(SO_(x))-based glass material. As a more specific example, each of thefirst and the second panes 104 and 106 can be a soda-lime glasssubstrate or float glass substrate. Such glass substrates can becomposed of, for example, approximately 75% silica (SiO₂) as well asNa₂O, CaO, and several minor additives. However, each of the first andthe second panes 104 and 106 can be formed of any material havingsuitable optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Forexample, other suitable substrates that can be used as one or both ofthe first and the second panes 104 and 106 can include other glassmaterials as well as plastic, semi-plastic and thermoplastic materials(for example, poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polycarbonate,allyl diglycol carbonate, SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer),poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), polyester, polyamide), or mirror materials. Insome implementations, each of the first and the second panes 104 and 106can be strengthened, for example, by tempering, heating, or chemicallystrengthening.

Generally, each of the first and the second panes 104 and 106, as wellas the IGU 100 as a whole, is rectangular. However, in some otherimplementations other shapes are possible and may be desired (forexample, circular, elliptical, triangular, curvilinear, convex orconcave shapes). In some specific implementations, a length “L” of eachof the first and the second panes 104 and 106 can be in the range ofapproximately 20 inches (in.) to approximately 10 feet (ft.), a width“W” of each of the first and the second panes 104 and 106 can be in therange of approximately 20 in. to approximately 10 ft., and a thickness“T” of each of the first and the second panes 104 and 106 can be in therange of approximately 0.3 millimeter (mm) to approximately 10 mm(although other lengths, widths or thicknesses, both smaller and larger,are possible and may be desirable based on the needs of a particularuser, manager, administrator, builder, architect or owner). In exampleswhere thickness T of substrate 104 is less than 3 mm, typically thesubstrate is laminated to an additional substrate which is thicker andthus protects the thin substrate 104. Additionally, while the IGU 100includes two panes (104 and 106), in some other implementations, an IGUcan include three or more panes. Furthermore, in some implementations,one or more of the panes can itself be a laminate structure of two,three, or more layers or sub-panes.

The first and second panes 104 and 106 are spaced apart from one anotherby a spacer 118, which is typically a frame structure, to form aninterior volume 108. In some implementations, the interior volume isfilled with Argon (Ar), although in some other implementations, theinterior volume 108 can be filled with another gas, such as anothernoble gas (for example, krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xn)), another (non-noble)gas, or a mixture of gases (for example, air). Filling the interiorvolume 108 with a gas such as Ar, Kr, or Xn can reduce conductive heattransfer through the IGU 100 because of the low thermal conductivity ofthese gases as well as improve acoustic insulation due to theirincreased atomic weights. In some other implementations, the interiorvolume 108 can be evacuated of air or other gas. Spacer 118 generallydetermines the height “C” of the interior volume 108; that is, thespacing between the first and the second panes 104 and 106. In FIG. 4,the thickness of the ECD, sealant 120/122 and bus bars 126/128 is not toscale; these components are generally very thin but are exaggerated herefor ease of illustration only. In some implementations, the spacing “C”between the first and the second panes 104 and 106 is in the range ofapproximately 6 mm to approximately 30 mm. The width “D” of spacer 118can be in the range of approximately 5 mm to approximately 15 mm(although other widths are possible and may be desirable).

Although not shown in the cross-sectional view, spacer 118 is generallya frame structure formed around all sides of the IGU 100 (for example,top, bottom, left and right sides of the IGU 100). For example, spacer118 can be formed of a foam or plastic material. However, in some otherimplementations, spacers can be formed of metal or other conductivematerial, for example, a metal tube or channel structure having at least3 sides, two sides for sealing to each of the substrates and one side tosupport and separate the lites and as a surface on which to apply asealant, 124. A first primary seal 120 adheres and hermetically sealsspacer 118 and the second surface S2 of the first pane 104. A secondprimary seal 122 adheres and hermetically seals spacer 118 and the firstsurface S3 of the second pane 106. In some implementations, each of theprimary seals 120 and 122 can be formed of an adhesive sealant such as,for example, polyisobutylene (PIB). In some implementations, IGU 100further includes secondary seal 124 that hermetically seals a borderaround the entire IGU 100 outside of spacer 118. To this end, spacer 118can be inset from the edges of the first and the second panes 104 and106 by a distance “E.” The distance “E” can be in the range ofapproximately 4 mm to approximately 8 mm (although other distances arepossible and may be desirable). In some implementations, secondary seal124 can be formed of an adhesive sealant such as, for example, apolymeric material that resists water and that adds structural supportto the assembly, such as silicone, polyurethane and similar structuralsealants that form a water tight seal.

In the particular configuration and form factor depicted in FIG. 4, theECD coating on surface S2 of substrate 104 extends about its entireperimeter to and under spacer 118. This configuration is functionallydesirable as it protects the edge of the ECD within the primary sealant120 and aesthetically desirable because within the inner perimeter ofspacer 118 there is a monolithic ECD without any bus bars or scribelines. Such configurations are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.8,164,818, issued Apr. 24, 2012 and titled ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWFABRICATION METHODS (Attorney Docket No. VIEWP006), U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/456,056 filed Apr. 25, 2012 and titledELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW FABRICATION METHODS (Attorney Docket No.VIEWP006X1), PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/068817 filed Dec. 10,2012 and titled THIN-FILM DEVICES AND FABRICATION (Attorney Docket No.VIEWP036WO), U.S. Pat. No. 9,454,053, issued Sep. 27, 2016 and titledTHIN-FILM DEVICES AND FABRICATION (Attorney Docket No. VIEWP036US), andPCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/073081, filed Dec. 13, 2014 andtitled THIN-FILM DEVICES AND FABRICATION (Attorney Docket No.VIEWP036X1WO), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties and for all purposes.

In the implementation shown in FIG. 4, an ECD 110 is formed on thesecond surface S2 of the first pane 104. In some other implementations,ECD 110 can be formed on another suitable surface, for example, thefirst surface S1 of the first pane 104, the first surface S3 of thesecond pane 106 or the second surface S4 of the second pane 106. The ECD110 includes an electrochromic (“EC”) stack 112, which itself mayinclude one or more layers. For example, the EC stack 112 can include anelectrochromic layer, an ion-conducting layer, and a counter electrodelayer. In some implementations, the electrochromic layer is formed ofone or more inorganic solid materials. The electrochromic layer caninclude or be formed of one or more of a number of electrochromicmaterials, including electrochemically-cathodic orelectrochemically-anodic materials. For example, metal oxides suitablefor use as the electrochromic layer can include tungsten oxide (WO₃) anddoped formulations thereof. In some implementations, the electrochromiclayer can have a thickness in the range of approximately 0.05 μm toapproximately 1 μm.

In some implementations, the counter electrode layer is formed of aninorganic solid material. The counter electrode layer can generallyinclude one or more of a number of materials or material layers that canserve as a reservoir of ions when the EC device 110 is in, for example,the transparent state. In certain implementations, the counter electrodenot only serves as an ion storage layer but also colors anodically. Forexample, suitable materials for the counter electrode layer includenickel oxide (NiO) and nickel tungsten oxide (NiWO), as well as dopedforms thereof, such as nickel tungsten tantalum oxide, nickel tungstentin oxide, nickel vanadium oxide, nickel chromium oxide, nickel aluminumoxide, nickel manganese oxide, nickel magnesium oxide, nickel tantalumoxide, nickel tin oxide as non-limiting examples. In someimplementations, the counter electrode layer can have a thickness in therange of approximately 0.05 μm to approximately 1 μm.

The ion-conducting layer serves as a medium through which ions aretransported (for example, in the manner of an electrolyte) when the ECstack 112 transitions between optical states. In some implementations,the ion-conducting layer is highly conductive to the relevant ions forthe electrochromic and the counter electrode layers, but also hassufficiently low electron conductivity such that negligible electrontransfer (electrical shorting) occurs during normal operation. A thinion-conducting layer with high ionic conductivity enables fast ionconduction and consequently fast switching for high performance ECdevices 110. In some implementations, the ion-conducting layer can havea thickness in the range of approximately 1 nm to approximately 500 nm,more generally in the range of about 5 nm to about 100 nm thick. In someimplementations, the ion-conducting layer also is an inorganic solid.For example, the ion-conducting layer can be formed from one or moresilicates, silicon oxides (including silicon-aluminum-oxide), tungstenoxides (including lithium tungstate), tantalum oxides, niobium oxides,lithium oxide and borates. These materials also can be doped withdifferent dopants, including lithium; for example, lithium-doped siliconoxides include lithium silicon-aluminum-oxide, lithium phosphorousoxynitride (LiPON) and the like.

In some other implementations, the electrochromic layer and the counterelectrode layer are formed immediately adjacent one another, sometimesin direct contact, without an ion-conducting layer in between and thenan ion conductor material formed in situ between the electrochromic andcounter electrode layers. A further description of suitable devices isfound in U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,950, titled ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES, by Wanget al., issued Jul. 1, 2014 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,261,751, titledELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES, by Pradhan et al., issued Feb. 16, 2016, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for allpurposes. In some implementations, the EC stack 112 also can include oneor more additional layers such as one or more passive layers. Forexample, passive layers can be used to improve certain opticalproperties, to provide moisture or to provide scratch resistance. Theseor other passive layers also can serve to hermetically seal the EC stack112. Additionally, various layers, including conducting layers (such asthe first and the second TCO layers 114 and 116 described below), can betreated with anti-reflective or protective oxide or nitride layers.

The selection or design of the electrochromic and counter electrodematerials generally governs the possible optical transitions. Duringoperation, in response to a voltage generated across the thickness ofthe EC stack 112 (for example, between the first and the second TCOlayers 114 and 116), the electrochromic layer transfers or exchangesions to or from the counter electrode layer to drive the electrochromiclayer to the desired optical state. In some implementations, to causethe EC stack 112 to transition to a transparent state, a positivevoltage is applied across the EC stack 112 (for example, such that theelectrochromic layer is more positive than the counter electrode layer).In some such implementations, in response to the application of thepositive voltage, the available ions in the stack reside primarily inthe counter electrode layer. When the magnitude of the potential acrossthe EC stack 112 is reduced or when the polarity of the potential isreversed, ions are transported back across the ion conducting layer tothe electrochromic layer causing the electrochromic material totransition to an opaque state (or to a “more tinted,” “darker” or “lesstransparent” state). Conversely, in some other implementations usingelectrochromic layers having different properties, to cause the EC stack112 to transition to an opaque state, a negative voltage can be appliedto the electrochromic layer relative to the counter electrode layer. Insuch implementations, when the magnitude of the potential across the ECstack 112 is reduced or its polarity reversed, the ions are transportedback across the ion conducting layer to the electrochromic layer causingthe electrochromic material to transition to a clear or “bleached” state(or to a “less tinted”, “lighter” or “more transparent” state).

In some implementations, the transfer or exchange of ions to or from thecounter electrode layer also results in an optical transition in thecounter electrode layer. For example, in some implementations theelectrochromic and counter electrode layers are complementary coloringlayers. More specifically, in some such implementations, when or afterions are transferred into the counter electrode layer, the counterelectrode layer becomes more transparent, and similarly, when or afterthe ions are transferred out of the electrochromic layer, theelectrochromic layer becomes more transparent. Conversely, when thepolarity is switched, or the potential is reduced, and the ions aretransferred from the counter electrode layer into the electrochromiclayer, both the counter electrode layer and the electrochromic layerbecome less transparent.

In one more specific example, responsive to the application of anappropriate electric potential across a thickness of EC stack 112, thecounter electrode layer transfers all or a portion of the ions it holdsto the electrochromic layer causing the optical transition in theelectrochromic layer. In some such implementations, for example, whenthe counter electrode layer is formed from NiWO, the counter electrodelayer also optically transitions with the loss of ions it hastransferred to the electrochromic layer. When charge is removed from acounter electrode layer made of NiWO (that is, ions are transported fromthe counter electrode layer to the electrochromic layer), the counterelectrode layer will transition in the opposite direction.

Generally, the transition of the electrochromic layer from one opticalstate to another optical state can be caused by reversible ion insertioninto the electrochromic material (for example, by way of intercalation)and a corresponding injection of charge-balancing electrons. In someinstances, some fraction of the ions responsible for the opticaltransition is irreversibly bound up in the electrochromic material. Someor all of the irreversibly bound ions are thought to have been used tocompensate for “blind charge” in the material, i.e. sufficient ions areadded to compensate for those that will be irreversibly bound, thefraction that are irreversibly bound constitute the blind charge. Insome implementations, suitable ions include lithium ions (Li+) andhydrogen ions (H+) (i.e., protons). In some other implementations, otherions can be suitable. Intercalation of lithium ions, for example, intotungsten oxide (WO_(3-y)(0<y≤˜0.3)) causes the tungsten oxide to changefrom a transparent state to a blue state.

The description below generally focuses on tinting transitions. Oneexample of a tinting transition is a transition from a transparent (or“translucent,” “bleached” or “least tinted”) state to an opaque (or“fully darkened” or “fully tinted”) state. Another example of a tintingtransition is the reverse—a transition from an opaque state to atransparent state. Other examples of tinting transitions includestransitions to and from various intermediate tint states, for example, atransition from a less tinted, lighter or more transparent state to amore tinted, darker or less transparent state, and vice versa. Each ofsuch tint states, and the tinting transitions between them, may becharacterized or described in terms of percent transmission. Forexample, a tinting transition can be described as being from a currentpercent transmission (% T) to a target % T. Conversely, in some otherinstances, each of the tint states and the tinting transitions betweenthem may be characterized or described in terms of percent tinting; forexample, a transition from a current percent tinting to a target percenttinting.

However, although the following description generally focuses on tintstates and tinting transitions between tint states, other optical statesand optical transitions also are achievable in various implementations.As such, where appropriate and unless otherwise indicated, references totint states or tinting transitions also are intended to encompass otheroptical states and optical transitions. In other words, optical statesand optical state transitions also will be referred to herein as tintstates and tint state transitions, respectively, but this is notintended to limit the optical states and state transitions achievable bythe IGUs 302. For example, such other optical states and statetransitions can include states and state transitions associated withvarious colors, intensities of color (for example, from lighter blue todarker blue and vice versa), reflectivity (for example, from lessreflective to more reflective and vice versa), polarization (forexample, from less polarization to more polarization and vice versa),and scattering density (for example, from less scattering to morescattering and vice versa), among others. Similarly, references todevices, control algorithms or processes for controlling tint states,including causing tinting transitions and maintaining tint states, alsoare intended to encompass such other optical transitions and opticalstates. Additionally, controlling the voltage, current or otherelectrical characteristics provided to an optically switchable device,and the functions or operations associated with such controlling, alsomay be described hereinafter as “driving” the device or the respectiveIGU, whether or not the driving involves a tint state transition or themaintaining of a current tint state.

The ECD 110 generally includes first and second conducting (or“conductive”) layers. For example, the ECD 110 can includes a firsttransparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer 114 adjacent a first surface ofthe EC stack 112 and a second TCO layer 116 adjacent a second surface ofthe EC stack 112. In some implementations, the first TCO layer 114 canbe formed on the second surface S2, the EC stack 112 can be formed onthe first TCO layer 114, and the second TCO layer 116 can be formed onthe EC stack 112. In some implementations, the first and the second TCOlayers 114 and 116 can each be formed of one or more metal oxidesincluding metal oxides doped with one or more metals. For example, somesuitable metal oxides and doped metal oxides can include indium oxide,indium tin oxide (ITO), doped indium oxide, tin oxide, doped tin oxide,fluorinated tin oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, doped zincoxide, ruthenium oxide and doped ruthenium oxide, among others. Whilesuch materials are referred to as TCOs in this document, the termencompasses non-oxides as well as oxides that are transparent andelectrically conductive such as certain thin film metals and certainnon-metallic materials such as conductive metal nitrides and compositeconductors, among other suitable materials. In some implementations, thefirst and the second TCO layers 114 and 116 are substantiallytransparent at least in the range of wavelengths where electrochromismis exhibited by the EC stack 112. In some implementations, the first andthe second TCO layers 114 and 116 can each be deposited by physicalvapor deposition (PVD) processes including, for example, sputtering. Insome implementations, the first and the second TCO layers 114 and 116can each have a thickness in the range of approximately 0.01 microns(μm) to approximately 1 μm. A transparent conductive material typicallyhas an electronic conductivity significantly greater than that of theelectrochromic material or the counter electrode material.

The first and the second TCO layers 114 and 116 serve to distributeelectrical charge across respective first and second surfaces of the ECstack 112 to apply an electrical potential (voltage) across thethickness of the EC stack 112. For example, a first applied voltage canbe applied to a first one of the TCO layers and a second applied voltagecan be applied to a second one of the TCO layers. In someimplementations, a first bus bar 126 distributes the first appliedvoltage to the first TCO layer 114 and a second bus bar 128 distributesthe second applied voltage to the second TCO layer 116. In some otherimplementations, one of the first and the second bus bars 126 and 128can ground the respective one of the first and the second TCO layers 114and 116. In other implementations, the load can be floated with respectto the two TCOs. In various implementations, to modify one or moreoptical properties of the EC stack 112, and thus cause an opticaltransition, a controller can alter one or both of the first and secondapplied voltages to bring about a change in one or both of the magnitudeand the polarity of the effective voltage applied across the EC stack112. Desirably, the first and the second TCO layers 114 and 116 serve touniformly distribute electrical charge over respective surfaces of theEC stack 112 with relatively little Ohmic potential drop from the outerregions of the respective surfaces to the inner regions of the surfaces.As such, it is generally desirable to minimize the sheet resistance ofthe first and the second TCO layers 114 and 116. In other words, it isgenerally desirable that each of the first and the second TCO layers 114and 116 behaves as a substantially equipotential layer across allportions of the respective layer. In this way, the first and the secondTCO layers 114 and 116 can uniformly apply an electric potential acrossa thickness of the EC stack 112 to effect a uniform optical transitionof the EC stack 112.

In some implementations, each of the first and the second bus bars 126and 128 is printed, patterned, or otherwise formed such that it isoriented along a length of the first pane 104 along at least one borderof the EC stack 112. For example, each of the first and the second busbars 126 and 128 can be formed by depositing a conductive ink, such as asilver ink, in the form of a line. In some implementations, each of thefirst and the second bus bars 126 and 128 extends along the entirelength (or nearly the entire length) of the first pane 104, and in someimplementations, along more than one edge of the EC stack 112.

In some implementations, the first TCO layer 114, the EC stack 112 andthe second TCO layer 116 do not extend to the edges of the first pane104. For example, a laser edge delete (LED) or other operation can beused to remove portions of the first TCO layer 114, the EC stack 112 andthe second TCO layer 116 such that these layers are separated or insetfrom the respective edges of the first pane 104 by a distance “G,” whichcan be in the range of approximately 8 mm to approximately 10 mm(although other distances are possible and may be desirable).Additionally, in some implementations, an edge portion of the EC stack112 and the second TCO layer 116 along one side of the first pane 104 isremoved to enable the first bus bar 126 to be formed on the first TCOlayer 114 to enable conductive coupling between the first bus bar 126and the first TCO layer 114. The second bus bar 128 is formed on thesecond TCO layer 116 to enable conductive coupling between the secondbus bar 128 and the second TCO layer 116. In some implementations, thefirst and the second bus bars 126 and 128 are formed in a region betweenspacer 118 and the first pane 104 as shown in FIG. 4. For example, eachof the first and the second bus bars 126 and 128 can be inset from aninner edge of spacer 118 by at least a distance “F,” which can be in therange of approximately 2 mm to approximately 3 mm (although otherdistances are possible and may be desirable). This arrangement can beadvantageous for a number of reasons including, for example, to hide thebus bars from view.

As noted above, the usage of the IGU convention is for convenience only.Indeed, in some implementations the basic unit of an electrochromicwindow can be defined as a pane or substrate of transparent material,upon which an ECD is formed or otherwise arranged, and to whichassociated electrical connections are coupled (to drive the ECD). Assuch, references to an IGU in the following description do notnecessarily include all of the components described with reference tothe IGU 100 of FIG. 4.

Example Control Profile for Driving Optical Transitions

FIG. 5 illustrates an example control profile 200 in accordance withsome implementations. The control profile 200 can be used to drive atransition in an optically switchable device, such as the ECD 110described above. In some implementations, a window controller can beused to generate and apply the control profile 200 to drive an ECD froma first optical state (for example, a transparent state or a firstintermediate state) to a second optical state (for example, a fullytinted state or a more tinted intermediate state). To drive the ECD inthe reverse direction—from a more tinted state to a less tintedstate—the window controller can apply a similar but inverted profile.For example, the control profile for driving the ECD from the secondoptical state to the first optical state can be a mirror image of thevoltage control profile depicted in FIG. 5. In some otherimplementations, the control profiles for tinting and lightening can beasymmetric. For example, transitioning from a first more tinted state toa second less tinted state can in some instances require more time thanthe reverse; that is, transitioning from the second less tinted state tothe first more tinted state. In some other instances, the reverse may betrue; that is, transitioning from the second less tinted state to thefirst more tinted state can require more time. In other words, by virtueof the device architecture and materials, bleaching or lightening is notnecessarily simply the reverse of coloring or tinting. Indeed, ECDsoften behave differently for each transition due to differences indriving forces for ion intercalation and deintercalation to and from theelectrochromic materials.

In some implementations, the control profile 200 is a voltage controlprofile implemented by varying a voltage provided to the ECD. Forexample, the solid line in FIG. 5 represents an effective voltageV_(Eff) applied across the ECD over the course of a tinting transitionand a subsequent maintenance period. In other words, the solid line canrepresent the relative difference in the electrical voltages V_(App1)and V_(App2) applied to the two conducting layers of the ECD (forexample, the first and the second TCO layers 114 and 116 of the ECD110). The dotted line in FIG. 5 represents a corresponding current (I)through the device. In the illustrated example, the voltage controlprofile 200 includes four stages: a ramp-to-drive stage 202 thatinitiates the transition, a drive stage that continues to drive thetransition, a ramp-to-hold stage, and subsequent hold stage.

The ramp-to-drive stage 202 is characterized by the application of avoltage ramp that increases in magnitude from an initial value at timet₀ to a maximum driving value of V_(Drive) at time t₁. In someimplementations, the ramp-to-drive stage 202 can be defined by threedrive parameters known or set by the window controller: the initialvoltage at t₀ (the current voltage across the ECD at the start of thetransition), the magnitude of V_(Drive) (governing the ending opticalstate), and the time duration during which the ramp is applied(dictating the speed of the transition). Additionally or alternatively,the window controller also can set a target ramp rate, a maximum ramprate or a type of ramp (for example, a linear ramp, a second degree rampor an n^(th)-degree ramp). In some applications, the ramp rate can belimited to avoid damaging the ECD.

The drive stage 204 is characterized by the application of a constantvoltage V_(Drive) starting at time t₁ and ending at time t₂, at whichpoint the ending optical state is reached (or approximately reached).The ramp-to-hold stage 206 is characterized by the application of avoltage ramp that decreases in magnitude from the drive value V_(Drive)at time t₂ to a minimum holding value of V_(Hold) at time t₃. In someimplementations, the ramp-to-hold stage 206 can be defined by threedrive parameters known or set by the window controller: the drivevoltage V_(Drive), the holding voltage V_(Hold), and the time durationduring which the ramp is applied. Additionally or alternatively, thewindow controller also can set a ramp rate or a type of ramp (forexample, a linear ramp, a second degree ramp or an n^(th)-degree ramp).

The hold stage 208 is characterized by the application of a constantvoltage V_(Hold) starting at time t₃. The holding voltage V_(Hold) isused to maintain the ECD at the ending optical state. As such, theduration of the application of the holding voltage V_(hold) may beconcomitant with the duration of time that the ECD is to be held in theending optical state. For example, because of non-idealities associatedwith the ECD, a leakage current I_(Leak) can result in the slow drainageof electrical charge from the ECD. Such a drainage of electrical chargecan result in a corresponding reversal of ions across the ECD, andconsequently, a slow reversal of the optical transition. In suchapplications, the holding voltage V_(Hold) can be continuously appliedto counter or prevent the leakage current. In some otherimplementations, the holding voltage V_(Hold) can be appliedperiodically to “refresh” the desired optical state, or in other words,to bring the ECD back to the desired optical state.

The voltage control profile 200 illustrated and described with referenceto FIG. 5 is only one example of a voltage control profile suitable forsome implementations. However, many other profiles may be desirable orsuitable in such implementations or in various other implementations orapplications. These other profiles also can readily be achieved usingthe controllers and optically switchable devices disclosed herein. Forexample, in some implementations, a current profile can be appliedinstead of a voltage profile. In some such instances, a current controlprofile similar to that of the current density shown in FIG. 5 can beapplied. In some other implementations, a control profile can have morethan four stages. For example, a voltage control profile can include oneor more overdrive stages. In one example implementation, the voltageramp applied during the first stage 202 can increase in magnitude beyondthe drive voltage V_(Drive) to an overdrive voltage V_(OD). In some suchimplementations, the first stage 202 can be followed by a ramp stage 203during which the applied voltage decreases from the overdrive voltageV_(OD) to the drive voltage V_(Drive). In some other suchimplementations, the overdrive voltage V_(OD) can be applied for arelatively short time duration before the ramp back down to the drivevoltage V_(Drive).

Additionally, in some implementations, the applied voltage or currentprofiles can be interrupted for relatively short durations of time toprovide open circuit conditions across the device. While such opencircuit conditions are in effect, an actual voltage or other electricalcharacteristics can be measured, detected or otherwise determined tomonitor how far along an optical transition has progressed, and in someinstances, to determine whether changes in the profile are desirable.Such open circuit conditions also can be provided during a hold stage todetermine whether a holding voltage V_(Hold) should be applied orwhether a magnitude of the holding voltage V_(Hold) should be changed.Additional information related to driving and monitoring an opticaltransition is provided in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US14/43514filed Jun. 20, 2014 and titled CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLYSWITCHABLE DEVICES, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety and for all purposes.

Example Controller Network Architecture

In many instances, optically switchable windows can form or occupysubstantial portions of a building envelope. For example, the opticallyswitchable windows can form substantial portions of the walls, facadesand even roofs of a corporate office building, other commercial buildingor a residential building. In various implementations, a distributednetwork of controllers can be used to control the optically switchablewindows. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an example network system, 300,operable to control a plurality of IGUs 302 in accordance with someimplementations. For example, each of the IGUs 302 can be the same orsimilar to the IGU 100 described above with reference to FIG. 4. Oneprimary function of the network system 300 is controlling the opticalstates of the ECDs (or other optically switchable devices) within theIGUs 302. In some implementations, one or more of the windows 302 can bemulti-zoned windows, for example, where each window includes two or moreindependently controllable ECDs or zones. In various implementations,the network system 300 is operable to control the electricalcharacteristics of the power signals provided to the IGUs 302. Forexample, the network system 300 can generate and communicate tintinginstructions (also referred to herein as “tint commands”) to controlvoltages applied to the ECDs within the IGUs 302.

In some implementations, another function of the network system 300 isto acquire status information from the IGUs 302 (hereinafter“information” is used interchangeably with “data”). For example, thestatus information for a given IGU can include an identification of, orinformation about, a current tint state of the ECD(s) within the IGU.The network system 300 also can be operable to acquire data from varioussensors, such as temperature sensors, photosensors (also referred toherein as light sensors), humidity sensors, air flow sensors, oroccupancy sensors, whether integrated on or within the IGUs 302 orlocated at various other positions in, on or around the building.

The network system 300 can include any suitable number of distributedcontrollers having various capabilities or functions. In someimplementations, the functions and arrangements of the variouscontrollers are defined hierarchically. For example, the network system300 includes a plurality of distributed window controllers (WCs) 304, aplurality of network controllers (NCs) 306, and a master controller (MC)308. In some implementations, the MC 308 can communicate with andcontrol tens or hundreds of NCs 306. In various implementations, the MC308 issues high level instructions to the NCs 306 over one or more wiredor wireless links 316 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “link316”). The instructions can include, for example, tint commands forcausing transitions in the optical states of the IGUs 302 controlled bythe respective NCs 306. Each NC 306 can, in turn, communicate with andcontrol a number of WCs 304 over one or more wired or wireless links 314(hereinafter collectively referred to as “link 314”). For example, eachNC 306 can control tens or hundreds of the WCs 304. Each WC 304 can, inturn, communicate with, drive or otherwise control one or morerespective IGUs 302 over one or more wired or wireless links 312(hereinafter collectively referred to as “link 312”).

The MC 308 can issue communications including tint commands, statusrequest commands, data (for example, sensor data) request commands orother instructions. In some implementations, the MC 308 can issue suchcommunications periodically, at certain predefined times of day (whichmay change based on the day of week or year), or based on the detectionof particular events, conditions or combinations of events or conditions(for example, as determined by acquired sensor data or based on thereceipt of a request initiated by a user or by an application or acombination of such sensor data and such a request). In someimplementations, when the MC 308 determines to cause a tint state changein a set of one or more IGUs 302, the MC 308 generates or selects a tintvalue corresponding to the desired tint state. In some implementations,the set of IGUs 302 is associated with a first protocol identifier (ID)(for example, a BACnet ID). The MC 308 then generates and transmits acommunication—referred to herein as a “primary tint command”—includingthe tint value and the first protocol ID over the link 316 via a firstcommunication protocol (for example, a BACnet compatible protocol). Insome implementations, the MC 308 addresses the primary tint command tothe particular NC 306 that controls the particular one or more WCs 304that, in turn, control the set of IGUs 302 to be transitioned.

The NC 306 receives the primary tint command including the tint valueand the first protocol ID and maps the first protocol ID to one or moresecond protocol IDs. In some implementations, each of the secondprotocol IDs identifies a corresponding one of the WCs 304. The NC 306subsequently transmits a secondary tint command including the tint valueto each of the identified WCs 304 over the link 314 via a secondcommunication protocol. In some implementations, each of the WCs 304that receives the secondary tint command then selects a voltage orcurrent profile from an internal memory based on the tint value to driveits respectively connected IGUs 302 to a tint state consistent with thetint value. Each of the WCs 304 then generates and provides voltage orcurrent signals over the link 312 to its respectively connected IGUs 302to apply the voltage or current profile.

In some implementations, the various IGUs 302 can be advantageouslygrouped into zones of EC windows, each of which zones includes a subsetof the IGUs 302. In some implementations, each zone of IGUs 302 iscontrolled by one or more respective NCs 306 and one or more respectiveWCs 304 controlled by these NCs 306. In some more specificimplementations, each zone can be controlled by a single NC 306 and twoor more WCs 304 controlled by the single NC 306. Said another way, azone can represent a logical grouping of the IGUs 302. For example, eachzone may correspond to a set of IGUs 302 in a specific location or areaof the building that are driven together based on their location. As amore specific example, consider a building having four faces or sides: aNorth face, a South face, an East Face and a West Face. Consider alsothat the building has ten floors. In such a didactic example, each zonecan correspond to the set of electrochromic windows 100 on a particularfloor and on a particular one of the four faces. Additionally oralternatively, each zone may correspond to a set of IGUs 302 that shareone or more physical characteristics (for example, device parameterssuch as size or age). In some other implementations, a zone of IGUs 302can be grouped based on one or more non-physical characteristics suchas, for example, a security designation or a business hierarchy (forexample, IGUs 302 bounding managers' offices can be grouped in one ormore zones while IGUs 302 bounding non-managers' offices can be groupedin one or more different zones).

In some such implementations, each NC 306 can address all of the IGUs302 in each of one or more respective zones. For example, the MC 308 canissue a primary tint command to the NC 306 that controls a target zone.The primary tint command can include an abstract identification of thetarget zone (hereinafter also referred to as a “zone ID”). In some suchimplementations, the zone ID can be a first protocol ID such as thatjust described in the example above. In such cases, the NC 306 receivesthe primary tint command including the tint value and the zone ID andmaps the zone ID to the second protocol IDs associated with the WCs 304within the zone. In some other implementations, the zone ID can be ahigher level abstraction than the first protocol IDs. In such cases, theNC 306 can first map the zone ID to one or more first protocol IDs, andsubsequently map the first protocol IDs to the second protocol IDs.

User or Third Party Interaction with Network

In some implementations, the MC 308 is coupled to one or moreoutward-facing networks, 310, (hereinafter collectively referred to as“the outward-facing network 310”) via one or more wired or wirelesslinks 318 (hereinafter “link 318”). In some such implementations, the MC308 can communicate acquired status information or sensor data to remotecomputers, mobile devices, servers, databases in or accessible by theoutward-facing network 310. In some implementations, variousapplications, including third party applications or cloud-basedapplications, executing within such remote devices can access data fromor provide data to the MC 308. In some implementations, authorized usersor applications can communicate requests to modify the tint states ofvarious IGUs 302 to the MC 308 via the network 310. In someimplementations, the MC 308 can first determine whether to grant therequest (for example, based on power considerations or based on whetherthe user has the appropriate authorization) prior to issuing a tintcommand. The MC 308 can then calculate, determine, select or otherwisegenerate a tint value and transmit the tint value in a primary tintcommand to cause the tint state transitions in the associated IGUs 302.

For example, a user can submit such a request from a computing device,such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer or mobiledevice (for example, a smartphone). In some such implementations, theuser's computing device can execute a client-side application that iscapable of communicating with the MC 308, and in some instances, with amaster controller application executing within the MC 308. In some otherimplementations, the client-side application can communicate with aseparate application, in the same or a different physical device orsystem as the MC 308, which then communicates with the master controllerapplication to effect the desired tint state modifications. In someimplementations, the master controller application or other separateapplication can be used to authenticate the user to authorize requestssubmitted by the user. In some implementations, the user can select theIGUs 302 to be tinted, and inform the MC 308 of the selections, byentering a room number via the client-side application.

Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, a user's mobiledevice or other computing device can communicate wirelessly with variousWCs 304. For example, a client-side application executing within auser's mobile device can transmit wireless communications including tintstate control signals to a WC 304 to control the tint states of therespective IGUs 302 connected to the WC 304. For example, the user canuse the client-side application to maintain or modify the tint states ofthe IGUs 302 adjoining a room occupied by the user (or to be occupied bythe user or others at a future time). Such wireless communications canbe generated, formatted or transmitted using various wireless networktopologies and protocolsWC.

In some such implementations, the control signals sent to the respectiveWC 304 from the user's mobile device (or other computing device) canoverride a tint value previously received by the WC 304 from therespective NC 306. In other words, the WC 304 can provide the appliedvoltages to the IGUs 302 based on the control signals from the user'scomputing device rather than based on the tint value. For example, acontrol algorithm or rule set stored in and executed by the WC 304 candictate that one or more control signals from an authorized user'scomputing device take precedence over a tint value received from the NC306. In some other instances, such as in high demand cases, controlsignals such as a tint value from the NC 306 may take precedence overany control signals received by the WC 304 from a user's computingdevice. In some other instances, a control algorithm or rule set maydictate that tint overrides from only certain users or groups or classesof users may take precedence based on permissions granted to such users,as well as in some instances, other factors including time of day or thelocation of the IGUs 302.

In some implementations, based on the receipt of a control signal froman authorized user's computing device, the MC 308 can use informationabout a combination of known parameters to calculate, determine, selector otherwise generate a tint value that provides lighting conditionsdesirable for a typical user, while in some instances also using powerefficiently. In some other implementations, the MC 308 can determine thetint value based on preset preferences defined by or for the particularuser that requested the tint state change via the computing device. Forexample, the user may be required to enter a password or otherwise loginor obtain authorization to request a tint state change. In suchinstances, the MC 308 can determine the identity of the user based on apassword, a security token or based on an identifier of the particularmobile device or other computing device. After determining the user'sidentity, the MC 308 can then retrieve preset preferences for the user,and use the preset preferences alone or in combination with otherparameters (such as power considerations or information from varioussensors) to generate and transmit a tint value for use in tinting therespective IGUs 302.

Wall Devices

In some implementations, the network system 300 also can include wallswitches, dimmers or other tint-state-controlling devices. A wall switchgenerally refers to an electromechanical interface connected to a WC.The wall switch can convey a tint command to the WC, which can thenconvey the tint command to the NC. Such devices also are hereinaftercollectively referred to as “wall devices,” although such devices neednot be limited to wall-mounted implementations (for example, suchdevices also can be located on a ceiling or floor, or integrated on orwithin a desk or a conference table). For example, some or all of theoffices, conference rooms or other rooms of the building can includesuch a wall device for use in controlling the tint states of theadjoining IGUs 302. For example, the IGUs 302 adjoining a particularroom can be grouped into a zone. Each of the wall devices can beoperated by an end user (for example, an occupant of the respectiveroom) to control the tint state or other functions or parameters of theIGUs 302 that adjoin the room. For example, at certain times of the day,the adjoining IGUs 302 may be tinted to a dark state to reduce theamount of light energy entering the room from the outside (for example,to reduce AC cooling requirements). Now suppose that a user desires touse the room. In various implementations, the user can operate the walldevice to communicate control signals to cause a tint state transitionfrom the dark state to a lighter tint state.

In some implementations, each wall device can include one or moreswitches, buttons, dimmers, dials or other physical user interfacecontrols enabling the user to select a particular tint state or toincrease or decrease a current tinting level of the IGUs 302 adjoiningthe room. Additionally or alternatively, the wall device can include adisplay having a touchscreen interface enabling the user to select aparticular tint state (for example, by selecting a virtual button,selecting from a dropdown menu or by entering a tint level or tintingpercentage) or to modify the tint state (for example, by selecting a“darken” virtual button, a “lighten” virtual button, or by turning avirtual dial or sliding a virtual bar). In some other implementations,the wall device can include a docking interface enabling a user tophysically and communicatively dock a portable device such as asmartphone, multimedia device, tablet computer or other portablecomputing device (for example, an IPHONE, IPOD or IPAD produced byApple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.). In such implementations, the user cancontrol the tinting levels via input to the portable device, which isthen received by the wall device through the docking interface andsubsequently communicated to the MC 308, NC 306 or WC 304. In suchimplementations, the portable device may include an application forcommunicating with an API presented by the wall device.

For example, the wall device can transmit a request for a tint statechange to the MC 308. In some implementations, the MC 308 can firstdetermine whether to grant the request (for example, based on powerconsiderations or based on whether the user has the appropriateauthorizations/permissions). The MC 308 can then calculate, determine,select or otherwise generate a tint value and transmit the tint value ina primary tint command to cause the tint state transitions in theadjoining IGUs 302. In some such implementations, each wall device canbe connected with the MC 308 via one or more wired links (for example,over communication lines such as CAN or Ethernet compliant lines or overpower lines using power line communication techniques). In some otherimplementations, each wall device can be connected with the MC 308 viaone or more wireless links. In some other implementations, the walldevice can be connected (via one or more wired or wireless connections)with an outward-facing network 310 such as a customer-facing network,which then communicates with the MC 308 via link 318.

In some implementations, the MC 308 can identify the IGUs 302 associatedwith the wall device based on previously programmed or discoveredinformation associating the wall device with the IGUs 302. In someimplementations, a control algorithm or rule set stored in and executedby the MC 308 can dictate that one or more control signals from a walldevice take precedence over a tint value previously generated by the MC308. In some other instances, such as in times of high demand (forexample, high power demand), a control algorithm or rule set stored inand executed by the MC 308 can dictate that the tint value previouslygenerated by the MC 308 takes precedence over any control signalsreceived from a wall device.

In some other implementations or instances, based on the receipt of atint-state-change request or control signal from a wall device, the MC308 can use information about a combination of known parameters togenerate a tint value that provides lighting conditions desirable for atypical user, while in some instances also using power efficiently. Insome other implementations, the MC 308 can generate the tint value basedon preset preferences defined by or for the particular user thatrequested the tint state change via the wall device. For example, theuser may be required to enter a password into the wall device or to usea security token or security fob such as the IBUTTON or other 1-Wiredevice to gain access to the wall device.

In such instances, the MC 308 can determine the identity of the user,based on the password, security token or security fob, retrieve presetpreferences for the user, and use the preset preferences alone or incombination with other parameters (such as power considerations orinformation from various sensors) to calculate, determine, select orotherwise generate a tint value for the respective IGUs 302.

In some other implementations, the wall device can transmit a tint statechange request to the appropriate NC 306, which then communicates therequest, or a communication based on the request, to the MC 308. Forexample, each wall device can be connected with a corresponding NC 306via one or more wired links such as those just described for the MC 308or via a wireless link (such as those described below). In some otherimplementations, the wall device can transmit a request to theappropriate NC 306, which then itself determines whether to override aprimary tint command previously received from the MC 308 or a primary orsecondary tint command previously generated by the NC 306 (as describedbelow, the NC 306 can in some implementations generate tint commandswithout first receiving a tint command from an MC 308). In some otherimplementations, the wall device can communicate requests or controlsignals directly to the WC 304 that controls the adjoining IGUs 302. Forexample, each wall device can be connected with a corresponding WC 304via one or more wired links such as those just described for the MC 308or via a wireless linkWC.

In some specific implementations, the NC 306 or the MC 308 determineswhether the control signals from the wall device should take priorityover a tint value previously generated by the NC 306 or the MC 308. Asdescribed above, in some implementations, the wall device cancommunicate directly with the NC 306. However, in some otherimplementations, the wall device can communicate requests directly tothe MC 308 or directly to a WC 304, which then communicates the requestto the NC 306. In still other implementations, the wall device cancommunicate requests to a customer-facing network (such as a networkmanaged by the owners or operators of the building), which then passesthe requests (or requests based therefrom) to the NC 306 either directlyor indirectly by way of the MC 308. In some implementations, a controlalgorithm or rule set stored in and executed by the NC 306 or the MC 308can dictate that one or more control signals from a wall device takeprecedence over a tint value previously generated by the NC 306 or theMC 308. In some other instances, such as in times of high demand (forexample, high power demand), a control algorithm or rule set stored inand executed by the NC 306 or the MC 308 can dictate that the tint valuepreviously generated by the NC 306 or the MC 308 takes precedence overany control signals received from a wall device.

As described above with reference to the MC 308, in some otherimplementations, based on the receipt of a tint-state-change request orcontrol signal from a wall device, the NC 306 can use information abouta combination of known parameters to generate a tint value that provideslighting conditions desirable for a typical user, while in someinstances also using power efficiently. In some other implementations,the NC 306 or the MC 308 can generate the tint value based on presetpreferences defined by or for the particular user that requested thetint state change via the wall device. As described above with referenceto the MC 308, the user may be required to enter a password into thewall device or to use a security token or security fob such as theIBUTTON or other 1-Wire device to gain access to the wall device. Insuch instances, the NC 306 can communicate with the MC 308 to determinethe identity of the user, or the MC 308 can alone determine the identityof the user, based on the password, security token or security fob,retrieve preset preferences for the user, and use the preset preferencesalone or in combination with other parameters (such as powerconsiderations or information from various sensors) to calculate,determine, select or otherwise generate a tint value for the respectiveIGUs 302.

In some implementations, the MC 308 is coupled to an external database(or “data store” or “data warehouse”) 320. In some implementations, thedatabase 320 can be a local database coupled with the MC 308 via a wiredhardware link 322. In some other implementations, the database 320 canbe a remote database or a cloud-based database accessible by the MC 308via an internal private network or over the outward-facing network 310.In some implementations, other computing devices, systems or serversalso can have access to read the data stored in the database 320, forexample, over the outward-facing network 310. Additionally, in someimplementations, one or more control applications or third partyapplications also can have access to read the data stored in thedatabase via the outward-facing network 310. In some cases, the MC 308stores in the database 320 a record of all tint commands including thecorresponding tint values issued by the MC 308. The MC 308 also cancollect status and sensor data and store it in the database 320. In suchinstances, the WCs 304 can collect the sensor data and status data fromthe IGUs 302 and communicate the sensor data and status data to therespective NCs 306 over link 314 for communication to the MC 308 overlink 316. Additionally or alternatively, the NCs 306 or the MC 308themselves also can be connected to various sensors such as light,temperature or occupancy sensors within the building as well as light ortemperature sensors positioned on, around or otherwise external to thebuilding (for example, on a roof of the building). In someimplementations the NCs 306 or the WCs 304 also can transmit status orsensor data directly to the database 320 for storage.

Integration with Other Systems or Services

In some implementations, the network system 300 also can be designed tofunction in conjunction with modern heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) systems, interior lighting systems, security systemsor power systems as an integrated and efficient energy control systemfor an entire building or a campus of buildings. Some implementations ofthe network system 300 are suited for integration with a buildingmanagement system (BMS), 324. A BMS is broadly a computer-based controlsystem that can be installed in a building to monitor and control thebuilding's mechanical and electrical equipment such as HVAC systems(including furnaces or other heaters, air conditioners, blowers andvents), lighting systems, power systems, elevators, fire systems, andsecurity systems. The BMS can include hardware and associated firmwareand software for maintaining conditions in the building according topreferences set by the occupants or by a building manager or otheradministrator. The software can be based on, for example, internetprotocols or open standards. A BMS can typically be used in largebuildings where it functions to control the environment within thebuilding. For example, the BMS can control lighting, temperature, carbondioxide levels, and humidity within the building. To control thebuilding environment, the BMS can turn on and off various mechanical andelectrical devices according to rules or in response to conditions. Suchrules and conditions can be selected or specified by a building manageror administrator, for example. One function of a BMS can be to maintaina comfortable environment for the occupants of a building whileminimizing heating and cooling energy losses and costs. In someimplementations, the BMS can be configured not only to monitor andcontrol, but also to optimize the synergy between various systems, forexample, to conserve energy and lower building operation costs.

Additionally or alternatively, some implementations of the networksystem 300 are suited for integration with a smart thermostat service,alert service (for example, fire detection), security service or otherappliance automation service. On example of a home automation service isNEST®, made by Nest Labs of Palo Alto, Calif., (NEST® is a registeredtrademark of Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.). As used herein,references to a BMS can in some implementations also encompass, or bereplaced with, such other automation services.

In some implementations, the MC 308 and a separate automation service,such as a BMS 324, can communicate via an application programminginterface (API). For example, the API can execute in conjunction with amaster controller application (or platform) within the MC 308, or inconjunction with a building management application (or platform) withinthe BMS 324. The MC 308 and the BMS 324 can communicate over one or morewired links 326 or via the outward-facing network 310. In someinstances, the BMS 324 can communicate instructions for controlling theIGUs 302 to the MC 308, which then generates and transmits primary tintcommands to the appropriate NCs 306. In some implementations, the NCs306 or the WCs 304 also can communicate directly with the BMS 324(whether through a wired/hardware link or wirelessly through a wirelessdata link). In some implementations, the BMS 324 also can receive data,such as sensor data, status data and associated timestamp data,collected by one or more of the MC 308, the NCs 306 and the WCs 304. Forexample, the MC 308 can publish such data over the network 310. In someother implementations in which such data is stored in a database 320,the BMS 324 can have access to some or all of the data stored in thedatabase 320.

Example Master Controller

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example master controller (MC) 400 inaccordance with some implementations. For example, the MC 400 of FIG. 7can be used to implement the MC 308 described above with reference tothe network system 300 of FIG. 6. As used herein, references to “the MC400” also encompass the MC 308, and vice versa; in other words, the tworeferences may be used interchangeably. The MC 400 can be implemented inor as one or more computers, computing devices or computer systems(herein used interchangeably where appropriate unless otherwiseindicated). Additionally, reference to “the MC 400” collectively refersto any suitable combination of hardware, firmware and software forimplementing the functions, operations, processes or capabilitiesdescribed. For example, the MC 400 can refer to a computer thatimplements a master controller application (also referred to herein as a“program” or a “task”).

As shown in FIG. 7, the MC 400 generally includes one or more processors402 (also collectively referred to hereinafter as “the processor 402”).Processor 402 can be or can include a central processing unit (CPU),such as a single core or a multi-core processor. The processor 402 canadditionally include a digital signal processor (DSP) or a networkprocessor in some implementations. In some implementations, theprocessor 402 also can include one or more application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs). The processor 402 is coupled with a primarymemory 404, a secondary memory 406, an inward-facing network interface408 and an outward-facing network interface 410. The primary memory 404can include one or more high-speed memory devices such as, for example,one or more random-access memory (RAM) devices including dynamic-RAM(DRAM) devices. Such DRAM devices can include, for example, synchronousDRAM (SDRAM) devices and double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) devices(including DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, and DDR4 SDRAM), thyristor RAM(T-RAM), and zero-capacitor (Z-RAM®), among other suitable memorydevices.

The secondary memory 406 can include one or more hard disk drives (HDDs)or one or more solid-state drives (SSDs). In some implementations, thememory 406 can store processor-executable code (or “programminginstructions”) for implementing a multi-tasking operating system suchas, for example, an operating system based on a Linux® kernel. In someother implementations, the operating system can be a UNIX®- orUnix-like-based operating system, a Microsoft Windows®-based operatingsystem, or another suitable operating system. The memory 406 also canstore code executable by the processor 402 to implement the mastercontroller application described above, as well as code for implementingother applications or programs. The memory 406 also can store statusinformation, sensor data or other data collected from networkcontrollers, window controllers and various sensors.

In some implementations, the MC 400 is a “headless” system; that is, acomputer that does not include a display monitor or other user inputdevice. In some such implementations, an administrator or otherauthorized user can log in to or otherwise access the MC 400 from aremote computer or mobile computing device over a network (for example,the network 310) to access and retrieve information stored in the MC400, to write or otherwise store data in the MC 400, and to controlvarious functions, operations, processes or parameters implemented orused by the MC 400. In some other implementations, the MC 400 also caninclude a display monitor and a direct user input device (for example,one or more of a mouse, a keyboard and a touchscreen).

In various implementations, the inward-facing network interface 408enables the MC 400 to communicate with various distributed controllers,and in some implementations, also with various sensors. Theinward-facing network interface 408 can collectively refer to one ormore wired network interfaces or one or more wireless network interfaces(including one or more radio transceivers). In the context of thenetwork system 300 of FIG. 6, the MC 400 can implement the MC 308 andthe inward-facing network interface 408 can enable communication withthe downstream NCs 306 over the link 316.

The outward-facing network interface 410 enables the MC 400 tocommunicate with various computers, mobile devices, servers, databasesor cloud-based database systems over one or more networks. Theoutward-facing network interface 410 also can collectively refer to oneor more wired network interfaces or one or more wireless networkinterfaces (including one or more radio transceivers). In the context ofthe network system 300 of FIG. 6, the outward-facing network interface410 can enable communication with various computers, mobile devices,servers, databases or cloud-based database systems accessible via theoutward-facing network 310 over the link 318. As described above, insome implementations, the various applications, including third partyapplications or cloud-based applications, executing within such remotedevices can access data from or provide data to the MC 400 or to thedatabase 320 via the MC 400. In some implementations, the MC 400includes one or more APIs for facilitating communication between the MC400 and various third party applications. Some example implementationsof APIs that the MC 400 can enable are described in PCT PatentApplication No. PCT/US15/64555 (Attorney Docket No. VIEWP073WO) filedDec. 8, 2015 and titled MULTIPLE INTERACTING SYSTEMS AT A SITE, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.For example, such third-party applications can include variousmonitoring services including thermostat services, alert services (forexample, fire detection), security services or other applianceautomation services. Additional examples of monitoring services andsystems can be found in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/019031(Attorney Docket No. VIEWP061WO) filed Mar. 5, 2015 and titledMONITORING SITES CONTAINING SWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES AND CONTROLLERS,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for allpurposes.

In some implementations, one or both of the inward-facing networkinterface 408 and the outward-facing network interface 410 can include aBACnet compatible interface. BACnet is a communications protocoltypically used in building automation and control networks and definedby the ASHRAE/ANSI 135 and ISO 16484-5 standards. The BACnet protocolbroadly provides mechanisms for computerized building automation systemsand devices to exchange information, regardless of the particularservices they perform. For example, BACnet has traditionally been usedto enable communication among heating, ventilating, and air-conditioningcontrol (HVAC) systems, lighting control systems, access or securitycontrol systems, and fire detection systems as well as their associatedequipment. In some other implementations, one or both of theinward-facing network interface 408 and the outward-facing networkinterface 410 can include an oBIX (Open Building Information Exchange)compatible interface or another RESTful Web Services-based interface. Assuch, while the following description is sometimes focused on BACnetimplementations, in other implementations, other protocols compatiblewith oBIX or other RESTful Web Services can be used.

The BACnet protocol is generally based on a server-client architecture.In some implementations, as viewed from the outward-facing network 310,the MC 400 functions as a BACnet server. For example, the MC 400 canpublish various information through the outward-facing network interface410 over the network 310 to various authorized computers, mobiledevices, servers or databases, or to various authorized applicationsexecuting on such devices. When viewed from the rest of the networksystem 300, the MC 400 can function as a client. In some suchimplementations, the NCs 306 function as BACnet servers collecting andstoring status data, sensor data or other data acquired from the WCs304, and publishing this acquired data such that it is accessible to theMC 400.

The MC 400 can communicate as a client to each of the NCs 306 usingBACnet standard data types. Such BACnet data types can include analogvalues (AVs). In some such implementations, each NC 306 stores an arrayof AVs. The array of AVs can be organized by BACnet IDs. For example,each BACnet ID can be associated with at least two AVs; a first one ofthe AVs can be associated with a tint value set by the MC 400 and asecond one of the AVs can be associated with a status indication valueset (or received) from a respective WC 304. In some implementations,each BACnet ID can be associated with one or more WCs 304. For example,each of the WCs 304 can be identified by a second protocol ID such as aController Area Network (CAN) vehicle bus standard ID (referred tohereinafter as a “CAN ID”). In such implementations, each BACnet ID canbe associated with one or more CAN IDs in the NC 306.

In some implementations, when the MC 400 determines to tint one or moreIGUs 302, the MC 400 writes a specific tint value to the AV in the NC306 associated with the one or more respective WCs 304 that control thetarget IGUs 302. In some more specific implementations, the MC 400generates a primary tint command including a BACnet ID associated withthe WCs 304 that control the target IGUs 302. The primary tint commandalso can include a tint value for the target IGUs 302. The MC 400 candirect the transmission of the primary tint command through theinward-facing interface 408 and to the particular NC 306 using a networkaddress of the NC 306. For example, the network address of the NC 306can include an Internet Protocol (IP) address (for example, an IPv4 orIPv6 address) or a Media Access Control (MAC) address (for example, whencommunicating over an Ethernet link 316).

The MC 400 can calculate, determine, select or otherwise generate a tintvalue for one or more IGUs 302 based on a combination of parameters. Forexample, the combination of parameters can include time or calendarinformation such as the time of day, day of year or time of season.Additionally or alternatively, the combination of parameters can includesolar calendar information such as, for example, the direction of thesun relative to the IGUs 302. In some instances, the direction of thesun relative to the IGUs 302 can be determined by the MC 400 based ontime and calendar information together with information known about thegeographical location of the building on the Earth and the directionthat the IGUs face (for example, in a North-East-Down coordinatesystem). The combination of parameters also can include the outsidetemperature (external to the building), the inside temperature (within aroom adjoining the target IGUs 302), or the temperature within theinterior volume of the IGUs 302. The combination of parameters also caninclude information about the weather (for example, whether it is clear,sunny, overcast, cloudy, raining or snowing). Parameters such as thetime of day, day of year, or direction of the sun can be programmed intoand tracked by the MC 308. Parameters such as the outside temperature,inside temperature or IGU temperature can be obtained from sensors in,on or around the building or sensors integrated on or within the IGUs302. Some information about the weather also can be obtained from suchsensors. Additionally or alternatively, parameters such as the time ofday, time of year, direction of the sun, or weather can be provided by,or determined based on information provided by, various applicationsincluding third party applications over the network 310. Additionalexamples of algorithms, routines, modules, or other means for generatingtint values are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/772,969(Attorney Docket No. VIEWP049) filed Feb. 21, 2013 and titled CONTROLMETHOD FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS, and in PCT Patent Application No.PCT/US15/029675 (Attorney Docket No. VIEWP049X1WO) filed May 7, 2015 andtitled CONTROL METHOD FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS, both of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties and for all purposes.

Generally, each ECD within each IGU 302 is capable of being tinted,responsive to a suitable driving voltage applied across the EC stack, tovirtually any tint state within a continuous tint spectrum defined bythe material properties of the EC stack. However, in someimplementations, the MC 400 is programmed to select a tint value from afinite number of discrete tint values. For example, the tint values canbe specified as integer values. In some such implementations, the numberof available discrete tint values can be 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 or 256 ormore. For example, a 2-bit binary number can be used to specify any oneof four possible integer tint values, a 3-bit binary number can be usedto specify any one of eight possible integer tint values, a 4-bit binarynumber can be used to specify any one of sixteen possible integer tintvalues, a 5-bit binary number can be used to specify any one ofthirty-two possible integer tint values, and so on. Each tint value canbe associated with a target tint level (for example, expressed as apercentage of maximum tint, maximum safe tint, or maximum desired oravailable tint). For didactic purposes, consider an example in which theMC 400 selects from among four available tint values: 0, 5, 10 and 15(using a 4-bit or higher binary number). The tint values 0, 5, 10 and 15can be respectively associated with target tint levels of 60%, 40%, 20%and 4%, or 60%, 30%, 10% and 1%, or another desired, advantageous, orsuitable set of target tint levels.

Example Network Controller

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an example network controller (NC) 500in accordance with some implementations. For example, the NC 500 of FIG.8 can be used to implement the NC 306 described above with reference tothe network system 300 of FIG. 6. As used herein, references to “the NC500” also encompass the NC 306, and vice versa; in other words, the tworeferences may be used interchangeably. The NC 500 can be implemented inor as one or more network components, networking devices, computers,computing devices or computer systems (herein used interchangeably whereappropriate unless otherwise indicated). Additionally, reference to “theNC 500” collectively refers to any suitable combination of hardware,firmware and software for implementing the functions, operations,processes or capabilities described. For example, the NC 500 can referto a computer that implements a network controller application (alsoreferred to herein as a “program” or a “task”).

As shown in FIG. 8, the NC 500 generally includes one or more processors502 (also collectively referred to hereinafter as “the processor 502”).In some implementations, the processor 502 can be implemented as amicrocontroller or as one or more logic devices including one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or programmable logicdevices (PLDs), such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) orcomplex programmable logic devices (CPLDs). If implemented in a PLD, theprocessor can be programmed into the PLD as an intellectual property(IP) block or permanently formed in the PLD as an embedded processorcore. In some other implementations, the processor 502 can be or caninclude a central processing unit (CPU), such as a single core or amulti-core processor. The processor 502 is coupled with a primary memory504, a secondary memory 506, a downstream network interface 508 and anupstream network interface 510. In some implementations, the primarymemory 504 can be integrated with the processor 502, for example, as asystem-on-chip (SOC) package, or in an embedded memory within a PLDitself. In some other implementations, the NC 500 alternatively oradditionally can include one or more high-speed memory devices such as,for example, one or more RAM devices.

The secondary memory 506 can include one or more solid-state drives(SSDs) storing one or more lookup tables or arrays of values. In someimplementations, the secondary memory 506 can store a lookup table thatmaps first protocol IDs (for example, BACnet IDs) received from the MC400 to second protocol IDs (for example, CAN IDs) each identifying arespective one of the WCs 304, and vice versa. In some implementations,the secondary memory 506 can additionally or alternatively store one ormore arrays or tables. In some implementations, such arrays or tablescan be stored as comma-separated values (CSV) files or via anothertable-structured file format. For example, each row of the file can beidentified by a timestamp corresponding to a transaction with a WC 304.Each row can include a tint value (C) for the IGUs 302 controlled by theWC 304 (for example, as set by the MC 400 in the primary tint command);a status value (S) for the IGUs 302 controlled by the WC 304; a setpoint voltage (for example, the effective applied voltage V_(Eff)) anactual voltage level V_(Act) measured, detected or otherwise determinedacross the ECDs within the IGUs 302; an actual current level I_(Act)measured, detected or otherwise determined through the ECDs within theIGUs 302; and various sensor data. In some implementations, each row ofthe CSV file can include such status information for each and all of theWCs 304 controlled by the NC 500. In some such implementations, each rowalso includes the CAN IDs or other IDs associated with each of therespective WC 304.

In some implementations in which the NC 500 is implemented in a computerthat executes a network controller application, the secondary memory 506also can store processor-executable code (or “programming instructions”)for implementing a multi-tasking operating system such as, for example,an operating system based on a Linux® kernel. In some otherimplementations, the operating system can be a UNIX®- or Unix-like-basedoperating system, a Microsoft Windows®-based operating system, oranother suitable operating system. The memory 506 also can store codeexecutable by the processor 502 to implement the network controllerapplication described above, as well as code for implementing otherapplications or programs.

In various implementations, the downstream network interface 508 enablesthe NC 500 to communicate with distributed WCs 304, and in someimplementations, also with various sensors. In the context of thenetwork system 300 of FIG. 6, the NC 500 can implement the NC 306 andthe downstream network interface 508 can enable communication with theWCs 304 over the link 314. The downstream network interface 508 cancollectively refer to one or more wired network interfaces or one ormore wireless network interfaces (including one or more radiotransceivers). In some implementations, the downstream interface 508 caninclude a CANbus interface enabling the NC 500 to distribute commands,requests or other instructions to various WCs 304, and to receiveresponses including status information from the WCs 304, according to aCANBus protocol (for example, via the CANopen communication protocol).In some implementations, a single CANbus interface can enablecommunication between the NC 500 and tens, hundreds or thousands of WCs304. Additionally or alternatively, the downstream interface 508 caninclude one or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) interfaces (or “ports”).In some such implementations, to enable communication via a CANbuscommunication protocol, a USB-to-CAN adapter can be used to couple theUSB port of the downstream interface 508 with CANbus-compatible cables.In some such implementations, to enable the NC 500 to control even moreWCs 304, a USB hub (for example, having 2, 3, 4, 5 10 or more hub ports)can be plugged into the USB port of the downstream interface 508. AUSB-to-CAN adapter can then be plugged into each hub port of the USBhub.

The upstream network interface 510 enables the NC 500 to communicatewith the MC 400, and in some implementations, also with various othercomputers, servers or databases (including the database 320). Theupstream network interface 510 also can collectively refer to one ormore wired network interfaces or one or more wireless network interfaces(including one or more radio transceivers). In the context of thenetwork system 300 of FIG. 6, the upstream network interface 510 canenable communication with the MC 308 over the link 318. In someimplementations, the upstream network interface 510 also can be coupledto communicate with applications, including third party applications andcloud-based applications, over the outward-facing network 310. Forexample, in implementations in which the NC 500 is implemented as anetwork controller application executing as a task within a computer,the network controller application can communicate directly with theoutward-facing network 310 via the operating system and the upstreamnetwork interface 510. In some other implementations, the NC 500 may beimplemented as a task running on the MC 308 and managing the CANbusdevices via the CANbus interface. In such implementations, in additionor as an alternative to TCP/IP or UDP/IP communications to the MC, thecommunications could be via UNIX Domain Sockets (UDS) or othercommunication methods like shared memory, or other non-IP communicationmethods.

In some implementations, the upstream interface 510 can include BACnetcompatible interface, an oBIX compatible interface or another RESTfulWeb Services-based interface. As described above with reference to FIG.7, in some implementations the NC 500 functions as a BACnet servercollecting and storing status data, sensor data or other data acquiredfrom the WCs 304, and publishing this acquired data such that it isaccessible to the MC 400. In some implementations, the NC 500 also canpublish this acquired data over the network 310 directly; that is,without first passing the data to the MC 400. The NC 500 also functionsin some respects similar to a router. For example, the NC 500 canfunction as a BACnet to CANBus gateway, receiving communicationstransmitted from the MC 400 according to the BACnet protocol, convertingcommands or messages from the BACnet protocol to a CANBus protocol (forexample, the CANopen communication protocol), and distributing commandsor other instructions to various WCs 304 according to the CANBusprotocol.

BACnet is built over the user datagram protocol (UDP). In some otherimplementations, a non-broadcast-based communication protocol can beused for communication between the MC 400 and the NCs 500. For example,the transmission control protocol (TCP) can serve as the transport layeras opposed to UDP. In some such implementations, the MC 400 cancommunicate with the NCs 500 via an oBIX-compatible communicationprotocol. In some other implementations, the MC 400 can communicate withthe NCs 500 via a Web Socket-compatible communication protocol. Such TCPprotocols also can allow the NCs 500 to communicate directly with oneanother.

In various implementations, the NC 500 can be configured to performprotocol translation (or “conversion”) between one or more upstreamprotocols and one or more downstream protocols. As described above, theNC 500 can perform translation from BACnet to CANopen, and vice versa.As another example, the NC 500 can receive upstream communications fromthe MC 400 via an oBIX protocol and translate the communications intoCANopen or other CAN-compatible protocols for transmission to thedownstream WCs 304, and vice versa. In some wireless implementations,the NC 500 or the MC 400 also can translate various wireless protocolsincluding, for example, protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standard (forexample, WiFi), protocols based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard (forexample, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, ISA100.11a, WirelessHART or MiWi), protocolsbased on the Bluetooth standard (including the Classic Bluetooth,Bluetooth high speed and Bluetooth low energy protocols and includingthe Bluetooth v4.0, v4.1 and v4.2 versions), or protocols based on theEnOcean standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-10). For example, the NC 500 canreceive upstream communications from the MC 400 via an oBIX protocol andtranslate the communications into WiFi or 6LowPAN for transmission tothe downstream WCs 304, and vice versa. As another example, the NC 500can receive upstream communications from the MC 400 via WiFi or 6LowPANand translate the communications into CANopen for transmission to thedownstream WCs 304, and vice versa. In some other examples, the MC 400rather than the NC 500 handles such translations for transmission todownstream WCs 304.

As described above with reference to FIG. 7, when the MC 400 determinesto tint one or more IGUs 302, the MC 400 can write a specific tint valueto the AV in the NC 500 associated with the one or more respective WCs304 that control the target IGUs 302. In some implementations, to do so,the MC 400 generates a primary tint command communication including aBACnet ID associated with the WCs 304 that control the target IGUs 302.The primary tint command also can include a tint value for the targetIGUs 302. The MC 400 can direct the transmission of the primary tintcommand to the NC 500 using a network address such as, for example, anIP address or a MAC address. Responsive to receiving such a primary tintcommand from the MC 400 through the upstream interface 510, the NC 500can unpackage the communication, map the BACnet ID (or other firstprotocol ID) in the primary tint command to one or more CAN IDs (orother second protocol IDs), and write the tint value from the primarytint command to a first one of the respective AVs associated with eachof the CAN IDs.

In some implementations, the NC 500 then generates a secondary tintcommand for each of the WCs 304 identified by the CAN IDs. Eachsecondary tint command can be addressed to a respective one of the WCs304 by way of the respective CAN ID. Each secondary tint command alsocan include the tint value extracted from the primary tint command. TheNC 500 transmits the secondary tint commands to the target WCs 304through the downstream interface 508 via a second communication protocol(for example, via the CANOpen protocol). In some implementations, when aWC 304 receives such a secondary tint command, the WC 304 transmits astatus value back to the NC 500 indicating a status of the WC 304. Forexample, the tint status value can represent a “tinting status” or“transition status” indicating that the WC is in the process of tintingthe target IGUs 302, an “active” or “completed” status indicating thatthe target IGUs 302 are at the target tint state or that the transitionhas been finished, or an “error status” indicating an error. After thestatus value has been stored in the NC 500, the NC 500 can publish thestatus information or otherwise make the status information accessibleto the MC 400 or to various other authorized computers or applications.In some other implementations, the MC 400 can request status informationfor a particular WC 304 from the NC 500 based on intelligence, ascheduling policy, or a user override. For example, the intelligence canbe within the MC 400 or within a BMS. A scheduling policy can be storedin the MC 400, another storage location within the network system 300,or within a cloud-based system.

Integrated Master Controller and Network Controller

As described above, in some implementations the MC 400 and the NC 500can be implemented as a master controller application and a networkcontroller application, respectively, executing within respectivephysical computers or other hardware devices. In some alternativeimplementations, each of the master controller application and thenetwork controller application can be implemented within the samephysical hardware. For example, each of the master controllerapplication and the network controller application can be implemented asa separate task executing within a single computer device that includesa multi-tasking operating system such as, for example, an operatingsystem based on a Linux® kernel or another suitable operating system.

In some such integrated implementations, the master controllerapplication and the network controller application can communicate viaan application programming interface (API). In some particularimplementations, the master controller and network controllerapplications can communicate over a loopback interface. By way ofreference, a loopback interface is a virtual network interface,implemented through an operating system, which enables communicationbetween applications executing within the same device. A loopbackinterface is typically identified by an IP address (often in the127.0.0.0/8 address block in IPv4, or the 0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1 address (alsoexpressed as ::1) in IPv6 ). For example, the master controllerapplication and the network controller application can each beprogrammed to send communications targeted to one another to the IPaddress of the loopback interface. In this way, when the mastercontroller application sends a communication to the network controllerapplication, or vice versa, the communication does not need to leave thecomputer.

In implementations in which the MC 400 and the NC 500 are implemented asmaster controller and network controller applications, respectively,there are generally no restrictions limiting the available protocolssuitable for use in communication between the two applications. Thisgenerally holds true regardless of whether the master controllerapplication and the network controller application are executing astasks within the same or different physical computers. For example,there is no need to use a broadcast communication protocol, such asBACnet, which limits communication to one network segment as defined bya switch or router boundary. For example, the oBIX communicationprotocol can be used in some implementations for communication betweenthe MC 400 and the NCs 500.

In the context of the network system 300, each of the NCs 500 can beimplemented as an instance of a network controller application executingas a task within a respective physical computer. In someimplementations, at least one of the computers executing an instance ofthe network controller application also executes an instance of a mastercontroller application to implement the MC 400. For example, while onlyone instance of the master controller application may be activelyexecuting in the network system 300 at any given time, two or more ofthe computers that execute instances of network controller applicationcan have an instance of the master controller application installed. Inthis way, redundancy is added such that the computer currently executingthe master controller application is no longer a single point of failureof the entire system 300. For example, if the computer executing themaster controller application fails or if that particular instance ofthe master controller application otherwise stops functioning, anotherone of the computers having an instance of the master networkapplication installed can begin executing the master controllerapplication to take over for the other failed instance. In some otherapplications, more than one instance of the master controllerapplication may be executing concurrently. For example, the functions,processes or operations of the master controller application can bedistributed to two (or more) instances of the master controllerapplication.

Example Window Controller

An example window controller is further described in PCT PatentApplication No. PCT/US16/58872, titled CONTROLLERS FOROPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES, filed Oct. 26, 2016, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. Controllers for opticallyswitchable devices are also described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/334,832, titled CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES,filed Oct. 26, 2016, which is herein incorporate by reference in itsentirety.

Smart Network Controller

In some implementations, the NC 500 described with reference to

FIG. 8 can take over some of the functions, processes or operations thatare described above as being responsibilities of the MC 400 of FIG. 7.Additionally or alternatively, the NC 500 can include additionalfunctionalities or capabilities not described with reference to the MC400. FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of example modules of a networkcontroller in accordance with some implementations. For example, themodules of FIG. 9 can be implemented in the NC 500 in any suitablecombination of hardware, firmware and software. In some implementationsin which the NC 500 is implemented as a network controller applicationexecuting within a computer, each of the modules of FIG. 1 also can beimplemented as an application, task or subtask executing within thenetwork controller application.

In some implementations, the NC 500 periodically requests statusinformation from the WCs it controls. For example, the NC 500 cancommunicate a status request to each of the WCs it controls every fewseconds, every few tens of seconds, every minute, every few minutes orafter any desirable period of time. In some implementations, each statusrequest is directed to a respective one of the WCs using the CAN ID orother identifier of the respective WC. In some implementations, the NC500 proceeds sequentially through all of the WCs it controls during eachround of status acquisition. In other words, the NC 500 loops throughall of the WCs it controls such that a status request is sent to each ofthe WCs sequentially in each round of status acquisition. After a statusrequest has been sent to a given WC, the NC 500 then waits to receivethe status information from the respective WC before sending a statusrequest to the next one of the WCs in the round of status acquisition.

In some implementations, after status information has been received fromall of the WCs that the NC 500 controls, the NC 500 then performs around of tint command distribution. For example, in someimplementations, each round of status acquisition is followed by a roundof tint command distribution, which is then followed by a next round ofstatus acquisition and a next round of tint command distribution, and soon. In some implementations, during each round of tint commanddistribution, the NC 500 proceeds to send a tint command to each of theWCs that the NC 500 controls. In some such implementations, the NC 500also proceeds sequentially through all of the WCs it controls during theround of tint command distribution. In other words, the NC 500 loopsthrough all of the WCs it controls such that a tint command is sent toeach of the WCs sequentially in each round of tint command distribution.

In some implementations, each status request includes instructionsindicating what status information is being requested from therespective WC. In some implementations, responsive to the receipt ofsuch a request, the respective WC responds by transmitting the requestedstatus information to the NC 500 (for example, via the communicationlines in an upstream set of cables). In some other implementations, eachstatus request by default causes the WC to transmit a predefined set ofinformation for the set of IGUs it controls. Either way, the statusinformation that the WC communicates to the NC 500 responsive to eachstatus request can include a tint status value (S) for the IGUs, forexample, indicating whether the IGUs is undergoing a tinting transitionor has finished a tinting transition. Additionally or alternatively, thetint status value S or another value can indicate a particular stage ina tinting transition (for example, a particular stage of a voltagecontrol profile). In some implementations, the status value S or anothervalue also can indicate whether the WC is in a sleep mode. The statusinformation communicated in response to the status request also caninclude the tint value (C) for the IGUs, for example, as set by the MC400 or the NC 500. The response also can include a set point voltage setby the WC based on the tint value (for example, the value of theeffective applied V_(Eff)). In some implementations, the response alsocan include a near real-time actual voltage level V_(Act) measured,detected or otherwise determined across the ECDs within the IGUs (forexample, via the amplifier and the feedback circuit). In someimplementations, the response also can include a near real-time actualcurrent level I_(Act) measured, detected or otherwise determined throughthe ECDs within the IGUs (for example, via the amplifier and thefeedback circuit). The response also can include various near real-timesensor data, for example, collected from photosensors or temperaturesensors integrated on or within the IGUs.

Some protocols such as CANOpen limit the size of each frame of data sentfrom the WC to the NC 500 and vice versa. In some instances, the sendingof each status request and the receiving of status informationresponsive to such a request actually includes multiple two-waycommunications, and thus, multiple frames. For example, each statusrequest described above can include a separate sub-request for each ofthe status values described above. As a more specific example, eachstatus request from the NC 500 to a particular WC can include a firstsub-request requesting the status value S. In response to the firstsub-request, the WC can transmit to the NC 500 an acknowledgement and aframe including the status value S. The NC 500 can then transmit asecond sub-request to the WC requesting the tint value C. In response tothe second sub-request, the WC can transmit to the NC 500 anacknowledgement and a frame including the tint value C. The values ofV_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) as well as sensor data can similarly beobtained with separate respective sub-requests and responses.

In some other implementations, rather than polling or sending a statusrequest to each of the WCs on a sequential basis, the NC 500 canasynchronously send status requests to particular WCs. For example, itmay not be useful to receive status information (including C, S,V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act)) from all of the WCs periodically. Forexample, it may be desirable to asynchronously request such informationfrom only particular ones of the WCs that have recently received orimplemented a tint command, that are currently undergoing a tintingtransition, that have recently finished a tinting transition, or fromwhich status information has not been collected for a relatively longduration of time.

In some other implementations, rather than polling or sending statusrequests to each of the WCs individually, whether on a sequential basisor asynchronously, each of the WCs can periodically broadcast its statusinformation (including C, S, V_(Elf), V_(Act) and I_(Act)). In some suchimplementations, each of the WCs can broadcast the status informationwirelessly. For example, each WC can broadcast the status informationevery few seconds, tens of seconds, minutes or tens of minutes. In someimplementations, the WCs can be synchronized to broadcast theirrespective status information at certain times to avoid occupying alarge amount of collective bandwidth. Additionally, the broadcast periodcan be different for different sets (such as the zones described above)of WCs and at different times, for example, based on the positions ofthe respective IGUs in the building and relative to the sun, or based onwhether the rooms adjoining the IGUs are occupied.

In some other implementations, each of the WCs can broadcast its statusinformation in response to certain conditions, for example, whenstarting a tinting transition, when finishing a tinting transition, whenV_(Act) changes by a threshold, when I_(Act) changes by a threshold,when sensor data (for example, light intensity or temperature) changesby a threshold, when an occupancy sensor indicates the adjoining room isoccupied, or when entering or exiting a sleep mode. The NC 500 canlisten for such broadcasted status information, and when it hears it,record the status information. Advantageously, in broadcastingimplementations, the time required to receive status information from aset of WCs is approximately cut in half because there is no need torequest the status information from the WCs, and thus, no roundtripdelay associated with each WC. Instead, there is only a one-way latencyassociated with the time required to transmit the status informationfrom each WC to the NC 500.

In some other implementations, at power on or thereafter, each of theWCs can be configured to read device parameters, drive parameters andlite IDs or other ECD IDs for connected IGUs. The WCs then broadcasttheir CAN IDs as well as the lite IDs and the associated device anddrive parameters. That is, in some implementations, such broadcasting isinitiated by one or more processors in a WC without or irrespective ofany requests for such data by the NCs or other controllers. When the IDsand parameters are broadcast, the NC 500 can receive and process the IDsand parameters. In some implementations, lite IDs and parameters frommessages broadcasted by the WC are then communicated from the NC to theMC, which stores them, for example, in a table including a list of knownCAN IDs. For example, each row of the table can include a CAN ID, a WClocation ID associated with the CAN ID, the connected lite IDs, thelocations of the respective windows associated with the lite IDs, andthe device and drive parameters for the respective ECDs. In someimplementations, the MC can store the table in a cloud-based databasesystem so that even if the MC fails, another MC can be instantiated andaccess the table in the cloud.

In some instances, during commissioning, a field service technician mayintervene and attempt to perform ad hoc lite-to-lite matching based onperceived differences in the tints of two or more neighboring windows.In such cases, the technician may determine that the drive parametersfor one or more ECDs should be modified, and these modifications arethen implemented. In some implementations, the WC is configured tobroadcast the modified parameters to the corresponding NC, from whichthe parameters can be communicated to the MC. In situations where the WCthen fails or experiences an error, the NC or MC can determine that theWC has failed, for instance, because the WC is no longer broadcasting insituations where the WC has been configured to periodically broadcastdata such as the WC's CAN ID and/or WC location ID. When the failed WCis replaced with a new WC, which is then powered-on, the new WC willread the corresponding lite IDs and, as described above, broadcast thenew WC's CAN ID and the connected lite IDs. When the NC or MC receivesthis information, the NC or MC can be configured to retrieve themodified drive parameters for the failed WC from a database table byperforming a table look-up using the lite IDs. In such instances, the NCor MC is also configured to automatically update the table by assigningthe new CAN ID to the WC location ID and associated lite IDs. The NC orMC will then automatically communicate the modified drive parameters tothe new WC. In this way, the ECD which had its drive parameters modifiedduring commissioning can still be driven by the modified driveparameters even when the respective WC has been replaced. Othertechniques for automatically modifying, updating, and applying driveparameters can be performed in some implementations, as furtherdescribed in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US17/20805, titled METHOD OFCOMMISSIONING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS, by Shrivastava et al., filed Mar.3, 2017 (Attorney Docket No. VIEWP008X2WO), which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety and for all purposes,

In some such implementations, rather than sending a tint command to eachof the WCs on a sequential basis, the NC 500 can asynchronously send atint command to a particular WC whether through a wired or wirelessconnection. For example, it may not be useful to send tint commands toall of the WCs periodically. For example, it may be desirable toasynchronously sent tint commands to only particular ones of the WCsthat are to be transitioned to a different tint state, for which statusinformation has just been (or has recently been) received, or to which atint command has not been sent for a relatively long duration of time.

Data Logger

In some implementations, the NC 500 also includes a data logging module(or “data logger”) 802 for recording data associated with the IGUscontrolled by the NC 500. In some implementations, the data logger 802records the status information included in each of some or all of theresponses to the status requests. As described above, the statusinformation that the WC communicates to the NC 500 responsive to eachstatus request can include a tint status value (S) for the IGUs, a valueindicating a particular stage in a tinting transition (for example, aparticular stage of a voltage control profile), a value indicatingwhether the WC is in a sleep mode, a tint value (C), a set point voltageset by the WC based on the tint value (for example, the value of theeffective applied V_(Eff)), an actual voltage level V_(Act) measured,detected or otherwise determined across the ECDs within the IGUs, anactual current level I_(Act) measured, detected or otherwise determinedthrough the ECDs within the IGUs, and various sensor data, for example,collected from photosensors or temperature sensors integrated on orwithin the IGUs. In some other implementations, the NC 500 can collectand queue status information in a messaging queue like RabbitMC,ActiveMQ or Kafka and stream the status information to the MC forsubsequent processing such as data reduction/compression, eventdetection, etc., as further described herein.

In some implementations, the data logger 802 within the NC 500 collectsand stores the various information received from the WCs in the form ofa log file such as a comma-separated values (CSV) file or via anothertable-structured file format. For example, each row of the CSV file canbe associated with a respective status request, and can include thevalues of C, S, V_(Eff), V _(Act) and I_(Act) as well as sensor data (orother data) received in response to the status request. In someimplementations, each row is identified by a timestamp corresponding tothe respective status request (for example, when the status request wassent by the NC 500, when the data was collected by the WC, when theresponse including the data was transmitted by the WC, or when theresponse was received by the NC 500). In some implementations, each rowalso includes the CAN ID or other ID associated with the respective WC.

In some other implementations, each row of the CSV file can include therequested data for all of the WCs controlled by the NC 500. As describedabove, the NC 500 can sequentially loop through all of the WCs itcontrols during each round of status requests. In some suchimplementations, each row of the CSV file is still identified by atimestamp (for example, in a first column), but the timestamp can beassociated with a start of each round of status requests, rather thaneach individual request. In one specific example, columns 2-6 canrespectively include the values C, S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) for afirst one of the WCs controlled by the NC 500, columns 7-11 canrespectively include the values C, S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) for asecond one of the WCs, columns 12-16 can respectively include the valuesC, S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) for a third one of the WCs, and so onand so forth through all of the WCs controlled by the NC 500. Thesubsequent row in the CSV file can include the respective values for thenext round of status requests. In some implementations, each row alsocan include sensor data obtained from photosensors, temperature sensorsor other sensors integrated with the respective IGUs controlled by eachWC. For example, such sensor data values can be entered into respectivecolumns between the values of C, S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) for afirst one of the WCs but before the values of C, S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) andI_(Act) for the next one of the WCs in the row. Additionally oralternatively, each row can include sensor data values from one or moreexternal sensors, for example, positioned on one or more facades or on arooftop of the building. In some such implementations, the NC 500 cansend a status request to the external sensors at the end of each roundof status requests.

Compact Status

As described above, some protocols such as CANopen limit the size ofeach frame sent from the WC to the NC 500 and vice versa. In someinstances, the sending of each status request and the receiving ofstatus information responsive to such a request actually includesmultiple two-way communications and frames. For example, each statusrequest described above can include a separate sub-request for each ofthe status values described above. In some implementations, each of twoor more of the requested values C, S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) canbe transmitted together within a single response—a compact statusresponse. For example, in some implementations, the values of two ormore of C, S, V_(Eff); V_(Act) and I_(Act) are formatted so as to fit inone frame. For example, the CANopen protocol limits the size of the datapayload that can be sent in each frame to 8 bytes (where each byteincludes 8 bits). And in implementations in which the Service DataObject (SDO) sub-protocol of CAN open is used, the maximum size of thedata payload portion of the CANopen frame is 4 bytes (32 bits). In someimplementations, the size of each of the values V_(Eff), V_(Act) andI_(Act) is 10 bits. Thus, each of the values of V_(Eff), V_(Act) andI_(Act) can be packaged within a single SDO frame. This leaves 2 bitsleft over. In some implementations, each of the values of C and S can bespecified with one respective bit. In such case, all of the values of C,S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) can be specified using only 32 bits, andthus, be packaged within one SDO CANopen frame.

In some implementations, additional time savings can be achieved using abroadcast status request. For example, rather than sending a statusrequest to each of the WCs on an individual (or “unicast” basis), the NC500 can broadcast a single status request to all of the WCs it controls.As described above, responsive to receiving the status request, each WCcan be programmed to respond by communicating status information such asthe values C, S, V_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) in one or more compactstatus responses.

Protocol Conversion Module

As described above, one function of the NC 500 can be in translatingbetween various upstream and downstream protocols, for example, toenable the distribution of information between WCs and the MC 400 orbetween the WCs and the outward-facing network 310. In someimplementations, a protocol conversion module 804 is responsible forsuch translation or conversion services. In various implementations, theprotocol conversion module 904 can be programmed to perform translationbetween any of a number of upstream protocols and any of a number ofdownstream protocols. As described above, such upstream protocols caninclude UDP protocols such as BACnet, TCP protocols such as oBix, otherprotocols built over these protocols as well as various wirelessprotocols. Downstream protocols can include, for example, CANopen, otherCAN-compatible protocol, and various wireless protocols including, forexample, protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standard (for example,WiFi), protocols based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard (for example,ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, ISA100.11a, WirelessHART or MiWi), protocols based onthe Bluetooth standard (including the Classic Bluetooth, Bluetooth highspeed and Bluetooth low energy protocols and including the Bluetoothv4.0, v4.1 and v4.2 versions), or protocols based on the EnOceanstandard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-10).

Integrated Analytics

In some implementations, the NC 500 uploads the information logged bythe data logger 802 (for example, as a CSV file) to the MC 400 on aperiodic basis, for example, every 24 hours. For example, the NC 500 cantransmit a CSV file to the MC 400 via the File Transfer Protocol (FTP)or another suitable protocol over an Ethernet data link 316. In somesuch implementations, the status information can then be stored in thedatabase 320 or made accessible to applications over the outward-facingnetwork 310.

In some implementations, the NC 500 also can include functionality toanalyze the information logged by the data logger 802. For example, ananalytics module 906 can receive and analyze the raw information loggedby the data logger 802 in real time. In various implementations, theanalytics module 806 can be programmed to make decisions based on theraw information from the data logger 802. In some other implementations,the analytics module 806 can communicate with the database 320 toanalyze the status information logged by the data logger 802 after it isstored in the database 320. For example, the analytics module 806 cancompare raw values of electrical characteristics such as V_(Eff),V_(Act) and I_(Act) with expected values or expected ranges of valuesand flag special conditions based on the comparison. For example, suchflagged conditions can include power spikes indicating a failure such asa short, an error, or damage to an ECD. In some implementations, theanalytics module 806 communicates such data to the tint determinationmodule 810 or to the power management module 812.

In some implementations, the analytics module 806 also can filter theraw data received from the data logger 802 to more intelligently orefficiently store information in the database 320. For example, theanalytics module 806 can be programmed to pass only “interesting”information to a database manager 808 for storage in the database 320.For example, interesting information can include anomalous values,values that otherwise deviate from expected values (such as based onempirical or historical values), or for specific periods whentransitions are happening. More detailed examples of how raw data can befiltered, parsed, temporarily stored, and efficiently stored long termin a database are described in PCT Patent Application No.PCT/US15/029675 (Attorney Docket No. VIEWP049X1WO) filed May 7, 2015 andtitled CONTROL METHOD FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

Database Manager

In some implementations, the NC 500 includes a database manager module(or “database manager”) 808 configured to store information logged bythe data logger 804 to a database on a periodic basis, for example,every hour, every few hours or every 24 hours. In some implementations,the database can be an external database such as the database 320described above. In some other implementations, the database can beinternal to the NC 500. For example, the database can be implemented asa time-series database such as a Graphite database within the secondarymemory 506 of the NC 500 or within another long term memory within theNC 500. In some example implementations, the database manager 808 can beimplemented as a Graphite Daemon executing as a background process,task, sub-task or application within a multi-tasking operating system ofthe NC 500. A time-series database can be advantageous over a relationaldatabase such as SQL because a time-series database is more efficientfor data analyzed over time

In some implementations, the database 320 can collectively refer to twoor more databases, each of which can store some or all of theinformation obtained by some or all of the NCs 500 in the network system300. For example, it can be desirable to store copies of the informationin multiple databases for redundancy purposes. In some implementations,the database 320 can collectively refer to a multitude of databases,each of which is internal to a respective NC 500 (such as a Graphite orother times-series database). It also can be desirable to store copiesof the information in multiple databases such that requests forinformation from applications including third party applications can bedistributed among the databases and handled more efficiently. In somesuch implementations, the databases can be periodically or otherwisesynchronized to maintain consistency.

In some implementations, the database manager 808 also can filter datareceived from the analytics module 806 to more intelligently orefficiently store information in an internal or external database. Forexample, the database manager 808 can additionally or alternatively beprogrammed to store only “interesting” information to a database. Again,interesting information can include anomalous values, values thatotherwise deviate from expected values (such as based on empirical orhistorical values), or for specific periods when transitions arehappening. More detailed examples of how raw data can be filtered,parsed, temporarily stored, and efficiently stored long term in adatabase are described in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US15/029675(Attorney Docket No. VIEWP049X1WO) filed May 7, 2015 and titled CONTROLMETHOD FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety and for all purposes.

Tint Determination

In some implementations, the WC, NC 500 or the MC 400 includesintelligence for calculating, determining, selecting or otherwisegenerating tint values for the IGUs. For example, as similarly describedabove with reference to the MC 400 of FIG. 7, a tint determinationmodule 810 can execute various algorithms, tasks or subtasks to generatetint values based on a combination of parameters. The combination ofparameters can include, for example, the status information collectedand stored by the data logger 802. The combination of parameters alsocan include time or calendar information such as the time of day, day ofyear or time of season. Additionally or alternatively, the combinationof parameters can include solar calendar information such as, forexample, the direction of the sun relative to the IGUs. The combinationof parameters also can include the outside temperature (external to thebuilding), the inside temperature (within a room adjoining the targetIGUs), or the temperature within the interior volume of the IGUs. Thecombination of parameters also can include information about the weather(for example, whether it is clear, sunny, overcast, cloudy, raining orsnowing). Parameters such as the time of day, day of year, or directionof the sun can be programmed into and tracked by the NC 500. Parameterssuch as the outside temperature, inside temperature or IGU temperaturecan be obtained from sensors in, on or around the building or sensorsintegrated on or within the IGUs. In some implementations, variousparameters can be provided by, or determined based on informationprovided by, various applications including third party applicationsthat can communicate with the NC 500 via an API.

For example, the network controller application, or the operating systemin which it runs, can be programmed to provide the API.

In some implementations, the tint determination module 810 also candetermine tint values based on user overrides received via variousmobile device applications, wall devices or other devices. In someimplementations, the tint determination module 810 also can determinetint values based on commands or instructions received variousapplications, including third party applications and cloud-basedapplications. For example, such third party applications can includevarious monitoring services including thermostat services, alertservices (for example, fire detection), security services or otherappliance automation services. Additional examples of monitoringservices and systems can be found in PCT/US2015/019031 (Attorney DocketNo. VIEWP061WO) filed 5 Mar. 2015 and titled MONITORING SITES CONTAININGSWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES AND CONTROLLERS. Such applications cancommunicate with the tint determination module 810 and other moduleswithin the NC 500 via one or more APIs. Some examples of APIs that theNC 500 can enable are described in PCT Patent Application No.PCT/US15/64555 (Attorney Docket No. VIEWP073WO) filed Dec. 8, 2015 andtitled MULTIPLE INTERFACING SYSTEMS AT A SITE.

Power Management

As described above, the analytics module 806 can compare values ofV_(Eff), V_(Act) and I_(Act) as well as sensor data either obtained inreal time or previously stored within the database 320 with expectedvalues or expected ranges of values and flag special conditions based onthe comparison. The analytics module 806 can pass such flagged data,flagged conditions or related information to the power management 812.For example, such flagged conditions can include power spikes indicatinga short, an error, or damage to an ECD. The power management module 812can then modify operations based on the flagged data or conditions. Forexample, the power management module 812 can delay tint commands untilpower demand has dropped, stop commands to troubled WCs (and put them inidle state), start staggering commands to WCs, manage peak power, orsignal for help.

Conclusion

In one or more aspects, one or more of the functions described hereinmay be implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuitry, analogelectronic circuitry, computer software, firmware, including thestructures disclosed in this specification and their structuralequivalents thereof, or in any combination thereof Certainimplementations of the subject matter described in this document alsocan be implemented as one or more controllers, computer programs, orphysical structures, for example, one or more modules of computerprogram instructions, encoded on a computer storage media for executionby, or to control the operation of window controllers, networkcontrollers, and/or antenna controllers. Any disclosed implementationspresented as or for electrochromic windows can be more generallyimplemented as or for switchable optical devices (including windows,mirrors, etc.).

Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosuremay be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other implementationswithout departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, theclaims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shownherein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with thisdisclosure, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein.Additionally, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate, the terms “upper” and “lower” are sometimes used for ease ofdescribing the figures, and indicate relative positions corresponding tothe orientation of the figure on a properly oriented page, and may notreflect the proper orientation of the devices as implemented.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in asingle implementation. Conversely, various features that are describedin the context of a single implementation also can be implemented inmultiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination.Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this does not necessarily mean that the operations are requiredto be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Further, the drawings may schematically depict one more exampleprocesses in the form of a flow diagram. However, other operations thatare not depicted can be incorporated in the example processes that areschematically illustrated. For example, one or more additionaloperations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or betweenany of the illustrated operations. In certain circumstances,multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, theseparation of various system components in the implementations describedabove should not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the described programcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singlesoftware product or packaged into multiple software products.Additionally, other implementations are within the scope of thefollowing claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims canbe performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

Certain documents are incorporated by reference herein. It should beunderstood that any disclaimers or disavowals made in such documents donot necessarily apply to the present embodiments. Similarly, featureswhich are described as necessary in such documents may or may not beused in the present embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling a tint state of anelectrochromic device, the method comprising: (a) receiving a voicecommand or a gesture command from a user, the voice command or gesturecommand conveying information for changing the tint state of theelectrochromic device to a desired tint state; (b) using voicerecognition or gesture recognition to convert the voice command orgesture command, respectively, into a text command; (c) analyzing thetext command from (b) to interpret the voice command or gesture commandfrom the user in (a); and (d) executing the text command to cause theelectrochromic device to transition to the desired tint state.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: (e) generating a response to theuser indicating whether the voice command or gesture command made in (a)is occurring.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (f)confirming whether the user is authorized to execute the voice commandor gesture command received in (a).
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe method is implemented on a network of electrochromic devices, andwherein the method is implemented to control the tint state of aplurality of electrochromic devices on the network.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the voice command or gesture command from the user in(a) describes the desired tint state based on a relative comparison to astarting tint state of the electrochromic device.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein the voice command or gesture command from the user in (a)indicates that the electrochromic device should become darker orlighter.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the voice command or gesturecommand from the user in (a) indicates that the electrochromic deviceshould become more opaque or less opaque.
 8. The method of claim 5,wherein the voice command or gesture command from the user in (a)indicates that the electrochromic device should become more reflectiveor less reflective.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice commandor gesture command from the user in (a) indicates that a step changeshould be made to the tint state of the electrochromic device.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the voice command or gesture command from theuser in (a) describes the desired tint state as a distinct tint state ofthe electrochromic device, without reference to a starting tint state ofthe electrochromic device.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the voicecommand or gesture command from the user in (a) is the voice command,the voice command instructing the electrochromic device to switch to thedesired tint state according to one or more rules.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the one or more rules relate to a schedule and thevoice command instructs the electrochromic device to switch to thedesired tint state at a scheduled time.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein the one or more rules relate to weather and the voice commandinstructs the electrochromic device to switch to the desired tint stateif a particular weather condition occurs.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein the electrochromic device is installed in a building, whereinthe one or more rules relate to environmental conditions within thebuilding, wherein the voice command instructs the electrochromic deviceto switch to the desired tint state if an internal condition within thebuilding occurs.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the internalcondition within the building relates to a temperature within thebuilding.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein each of (a)-(d) occurlocally on one or more controllers installed in a building in which theelectrochromic device is installed.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereineach of (a)-(d) occur locally on one or more controllers installedonboard the electrochromic device.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein(c) occurs on a processor that is located remotely from a building inwhich the electrochromic device is installed.
 19. The method of claim 1,wherein the voice command or gesture command from the user in (a)comprises the gesture command.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein theuser identifies the electrochromic device by pointing at it.
 21. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method involves interpreting both thegesture command and the voice command, the gesture command identifyingwhich electrochromic device the user desires to control, and the voicecommand indicating the desired tint state for the electrochromic device.22. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises using two or moredictionaries to convert the voice command or gesture command into thetext command, wherein a first dictionary is used when converting a firstportion of the voice command or gesture command, and a second dictionaryis used when converting a second portion of the voice command or gesturecommand.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises using two ormore dictionaries to analyze the text command, wherein a thirddictionary is used when analyzing a first portion of the text commandand a fourth dictionary is used when analyzing a second portion of thetext command.
 24. A system for controlling a tint state of anelectrochromic device in response to a voice command or gesture commandfrom a user, the system comprising: (a) at least one element selectedfrom the group consisting of: a microphone, a video camera, and a motionsensor; (b) a controller communicatively coupled with the electrochromicdevice and configured to control the tint state of the electrochromicdevice; (c) either (i) a voice recognition module configured to convertthe voice command to a text command, or (ii) a gesture recognitionmodule configured to convert the gesture command to the text command,wherein the voice command is perceived by the microphone and/or whereinthe gesture command is perceived by the video camera and/or by themotion sensor; (d) a command processing module configured to interpretthe text command generated by the voice recognition module or gesturerecognition module; and (e) a command execution module configured toexecute the interpreted text command from the command processing module.25. The system of claim 24, further comprising: (f) a responsegeneration module configured to generate a response to the user; and (g)a response communication module configured to communicate the responseto the user, wherein the response is communicated to the user visuallyand/or aurally.
 26. The system of claim 24, further comprising: (h) anauthentication module configured to confirm whether the user isauthorized to control the electrochromic device as requested in thevoice command or gesture command from the user.
 27. The system of claim26, wherein the authentication module is configured to authorize theuser for a particular duration, and to request an additionalauthorization after the particular duration has passed.
 28. The systemof claim 26, wherein the authentication module confirms whether the useris authorized by requiring the user to log in with a passcode.
 29. Thesystem of claim 26, wherein the authentication module confirms whetherthe user is authorized by using facial recognition to identify the user.30. The system of claim 26, wherein the authentication module confirmswhether the user is authorized by using voice recognition to identifythe user.
 31. The system of claim 26, wherein the authentication moduleis configured to confirm whether the user is authorized each time theuser provides a new voice command or a new gesture command.
 32. Thesystem of claim 26, wherein the authentication module influences whichdictionary or dictionaries are used in the voice recognition module, thegesture recognition module, and/or the command processing module. 33.The system of claim 24, wherein the microphone, video camera, and/ormotion sensor are provided onboard the electrochromic device.
 34. Thesystem of claim 24, wherein the microphone, video camera, and/or motionsensor are provided on an electronic device that communicates with theelectrochromic device.
 35. The system of claim 34, wherein theelectronic device is a smartphone, tablet, laptop, personal computer,fitness device, watch, or wall unit.
 36. The system of claim 34, whereinthe gesture command is perceived by the motion sensor, and wherein themotion sensor comprises one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/ormagnetometers.
 37. The system of claim 24, wherein the system isconfigured to control the tint state of a plurality of electrochromicdevices each installed on a network.